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Why, yes, Virginia, there really IS a Santa Claus. Or multiple Santa Claus…es. CHRISTMAS MAGIC!

Some lucky layaway users have found themselves the beneficiaries of the kindness of strangers this holiday season as they’ve gone to pick up their items and discovered that Layaway Santas have completely paid off their packages.

Layaway Santas aren’t new, but thanks to news reports about their generosity a few years ago, the practice has grown as holiday seasons have passed. While some Santas wish to remain anonymous, others come forward to explain why they were motivated to help out so many families during the holidays.

Take Greg Parody, a Florida financial planner who recently paid $20,000 toward the layaways of families at his local Wal-Mart.

 
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Parody isn’t alone, and some families, like Dave Wilson in Iowa, make this an annual tradition. Wilson presents his wife, Holly, with the receipt from his good deeds as part of her Christmas present every year. Last year’s layaway gifting total? $18,000.

Wal-Mart stores have tracked over 1,000 instances of Layaway Santas so far this holiday season, and there are still 11 shopping days left before Santa shimmies down the chimney.

For people who rely on layaway to be able to give their families Christmas gifts, primarily their children, these special Layaway Santas are miracle workers.