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Strangers Paying Off Walmart Layaways

East Meadow retailer sees boost in goodwill from anonymous donors as Christmas approaches.

Attention Walmart shoppers, there’s some generosity brewing in the Layaway Department.

Two anonymous donors paid off layaway accounts at the East Meadow , according to Zamaranee Valentine, a manager at the store.

"We have received two donations thus far," Valentine said. "Each of them helped multiple people in need."

Valentine added that she hopes to see more donations throughout the week, and she commended the "Secret Santas" for their generosity.

"We call them Secret Santas," she added. "They want to stay anonymous, and it's great to see that they are stepping up for those who could use support."

So-called “Layaway Angels” are popping up across the country, with Walmart being one of the last national retail chains to offer layaway with few restrictions. According to corporate officials, Walmart has been seeing donations like this from coast to coast - including at the nearby location.

"It has happened as far west as Washington and as far east as New York," she said. "It's something Walmart really takes pride in."

Do you know of other stories of selfless generosity this holiday season? Tell us in the comments.

Maria Hodie December 30, 2011 at 01:53 pm
Another nice idea is people are putting seed packets for TickleMe Plants in holiday cards and thank you cards. TickleMe Plants are plants that react to affection. Just tickle the plant and it closes its leaves and lowers its branches. Search TickleMe Plant and bring a smile to some unsuspecting face.
Barb Markovich December 30, 2011 at 02:01 pm
Seriously??? TickleMe plants? Those are venus fly traps you dolt....
Chef Giovanni December 30, 2011 at 02:20 pm
Really, Barb? "...you dolt?" I think the pot is calling the kettle black.
paul December 30, 2011 at 02:21 pm
It is a little differet than a Venus Fly Trap:
paul December 30, 2011 at 02:22 pm
Mimosa pudica - with leaves closed Like a number of other plant species, it undergoes changes in leaf orientation termed "sleep" or nyctinastic movement. The foliage closes during darkness and reopens in light.
The leaves also close under various other stimuli, such as touching, warming, blowing, or shaking. These types of movements have been termed seismonastic movements. The movement occurs when specific regions of cells lose turgor pressure, which is the force that is applied onto the cell wall by water within the cell vacuoles and other cell contents. When the plant is disturbed, specific regions on the stems are stimulated to release chemicals including potassium ions which force water out of the cell vacuoles and the water diffuses out of the cells, producing a loss of cell pressure and cell collapse; this differential turgidity between different regions of cells results in the closing of the leaflets and the collapse of the leaf petiole. This characteristic is quite common within the Mimosoideae subfamily of the legume family, Fabaceae. The stimulus can also be transmitted to neighboring leaves. It is not known exactly why Mimosa pudica evolved this trait, but many scientists think that the plant uses its ability to shrink as a defense from predators. Animals may be afraid of a fast moving plant and would rather eat a less active one. Another possible explanation is that the sudden movement dislodges harmful insects.
paul December 30, 2011 at 02:28 pm
It is OK. I have explained in the below message...
Anna L. Richard December 30, 2011 at 02:52 pm
I think, it's wonderful, when someone becomes a donor by paying off someone's layaway. I'd like to do that, if I'm still alive, next year. God will reward that 10 year old boy!
Michele Washam December 30, 2011 at 03:40 pm
WOW Barb WOW...a little EDUCATION goes a long way not to mention a little kindness. I'd be careful about calling people names that you yourself represent. TickleMe plants are nothing like venus fly traps...so who is the dolt you nasty old woman.
David Kalmanir December 30, 2011 at 05:19 pm
Your post on the analogy of the "Tickle Me Plant", was the assumption I got when I searched out a video to view. It appeared to me as a defense mode, not a entertaining character.
Wolfe December 30, 2011 at 06:11 pm
Funny. Almost the same exact story appeared in the San Diego Patch on the same day regarding K-Mart layaway payments being made by anonymous people and over 260 people commented on how wonderful it is----on just over a week. This article has been here for nine days and no one seems to care. Is this just our East Coast mentality? Or have we become so jaded with commercialism that we just don't care anymore?
One more point: The first six comments that I read on here were all about plants and dolls. No one seemed to give a rat's behind that some anonymous person might pay your bill. And that is why it doesn't happen here.
Jes December 31, 2011 at 06:44 am
My mom's best friend took care of her dad for 10 yrs.He had Alzheimers.Mom was with the family singing him xmas carols when he died on Dec. 21st.Mom has been helping them pay bills for months.She gave her friend's sister $ so she could take time off from work & be with her dad when he died.Mom did their xmas shopping & cooked & made meals everyday.She paid for it all.Mom used the $ she received when both her parents died recently.She did this even tho she could have used the $ for dental work she needs.Mom has a tumor on her heart.We have spent 4 years seeing heart specialist.Drs. believe the tumor may have caused the loss of her teeth.With $ left by my grandparents,mom chose to help her friend rather than spend it on dental work.She told my brother & I this xmas would be different for us.Because she was helping her friend,she didn't have time to put up our xmas tree.We were given a wreath that stood at the alter of the church during the funeral.Mom put lights on it & put presents around it on the floor.Mom made sure we had a nice xmas,tho a bit unusual.She says she will still sit in the back of the gym for my school programs & my little brother's cause she is embarassed to speak with other people.But she says that inside,her smile is big cause she was happy she was able to do something for someone that was more important than what she needs.They say angels walk among us.I am lucky that I get to walk beside one everyday,my mom.

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Frank T June 17, 2013 at 02:39 pm
Lia's Pizzeria is taking over Paisanos location. Yet another new business opening in East MeadowRead More adding to the ever growing openings!
Rich June 18, 2013 at 05:10 pm
It's (was) Piesanos
Susan June 18, 2013 at 08:35 pm
What's to look into? Neil Koenig was the owner. He's good friends with my cousin. My cousin toldRead More me "he couldn't make a go of it." The last time I was there was in December. The food was just ok and the service was horrible. Not one course was correct and we didn't even change anything from the menu description. Note to the waitress, the appetizer is NOT supposed to come for dessert!! And Rich is correct. The name was Buongusto's PieSano's. I hope the new owners (Lia's) stop serving Chocolate Mouse (should be Mousse) as per the sign on the Prospect Avenue side of the building.
GMS June 12, 2013 at 09:52 am
3 large tables, of 42 people, yes, 3 tables 22 bottles!
Rick Price June 12, 2013 at 03:36 pm
Mike and Yvette are two of the nicest, kindest people I know and have always been helpful and fairRead More to the community and community events. While I am very sorry you had such a bad experience, I can't wait to hear their side of the story.
Frank T June 13, 2013 at 12:04 pm
"He just took $600 from our students funds" What does that mean? Either you handed himRead More money from the students fund or it was stolen. I would like to hear the owners side of the story.
Ivan Launer June 8, 2013 at 11:06 am
There are many people behind the scenes who have worked for months in advance to make this eventRead More successful. Due to business and personal commitments, it is impossible to get them together again on short notice.
Ivan Launer June 8, 2013 at 11:07 am
Unfortunately, the cancellation stands. Work for the 8:00 AM opening begins early in the morning.Read More The grounds at Speno Memorial Park were waterlogged, which could have resulted in slipping hazards and extensive property damage. If it's any consolation, we're as sorry about the cancellation as the people who would have attended the event.
marianne krause June 10, 2013 at 10:30 am
Extremely poor planing there should hve been rain date