Nonprofit pays off layaway balances at Fort Bragg

A national nonprofit organization has paid off around $2,000 in layaway balances for 12 military families at a Fort Bragg retailer in North Carolina.

The families were called to the South Post Exchange under the guise of a customer appreciation exchange Tuesday to learn the balances for their layaway items had been fully paid.

Volunteers pushed wrapped shopping carts around clothing racks to give them to the families.

‘Merry Christmas!’ they yelled as they surprised the families.

The funds were donated by New York-based Pay Away the Layaway, which plans to pay off $10,000 in layaway balances for military families nationwide.

Exchange general manager Bill Shofner says the families were selected based on the balance and items, with a focus on families that had put clothing and toys on layaway.

Sandra Oliver, top left, and her grandchildren, Brock and Arielle Shuler, listen as employees announce that their laways were paid off by Pay Away the Layaway

South Post Exchange employees wheel out carts with paid for layaway items

Each year for Christmas hundreds of families put items on layaway.

The organization was founded in 2011 after Lee Karchawer was inspired by someone who anonymously donated $25,000 to pay off layaway balances at a department store.

Mother Sandra Oliver couldn’t believe that her balance had been paid. She had planned to pay the final $250 this week.

‘It’s a blessing,’ she said to The Fayetteville Observer. 

‘Our core value is families serving families,’ Shoffner said. ‘I’m glad we were able to touch some families’ lives and give back to military families.’