<p>OK, sounds like the key is to ask for an account about to be closed. And thanks for the tip about asking for a toy-heavy account.</p>
<p>I like the idea of toys & strollers and would stay away from electronic-heavy accounts. One article I read did disturb me that the mother had put over $300 of toys away for her 4-year old daughter. That just seems like too much.</p>
<p>So I have another strategy question: If I have $100, I’m thinking it’s better to pay off two $50 accounts than one $100 account. Any holes in that logic?</p>
<p>^not in my mind. I would also add, not to be a grinch here, that I give annually to two programs in our area which prequalify people for Christmas assistance and cross reference their lists so that we know these people are truly needy and that they can only receive from one organization. That said if we had a kmart here I might be tempted…</p>
<p>just another thought…my cousin used layaway as a way to keep Christmas presents out of her small house, as she had no storage for big stuff. She & her husband had plenty of disposable income, so they just used it as a convenience, so not everyone that uses layaway is low income.</p>
<p>Nj2011mom, it sounds like KMart is deliberately putting money toward accounts that are behind on payment, not just any random account.</p>
<p>I find the KMart stories heartwarming. How nice to help a family that is struggling.</p>
<p>My favorite Christmas shopping this year has been for “Angel tags” from church. We shop for children with imprisoned parents. Each child gets two gifts (one toy, one clothes/practical - usually the grandparent makes suggestion with item/size). A tag says “from Dad” (or "from Mom). The child does not know the actual purchase was from a stranger. And we never get any specific feedback. We just know that often the gifts are much appreciated, sometimes the only gifts these kids will get.</p>
<p>nj2011mom, point taken, but probably your cousin isn’t about to have her account closed for nonpayment. My understanding is that KMart doesn’t choose the accounts that are paid off, or rather, chooses accounts based on the donor’s criteria. Mine will be: about to be closed, heavy with toys or childrens’ clothing, and a balance due in the range I can contribute. But we’ll see when I go over in the morning.</p>
<p>Lots of good people around in this country. God bless!</p>
<p>I spend a great deal every year on gifts for the needy - I contribute toys & teen stuff (big request this year) to the drive organized by our school district’s social workers and via our church, which gets families assigned from local social services.</p>
<p>nj2011mom, I am with you and prefer to give that way (with vetted recipients), but this is kind of a cool “trend”…so whatever brings out the giving spirit in people!</p>
<p>Am I missing something? Shouldn’t food be more important than toys? If you have extra $$ to help, why not buy some food to help those who are really in need.</p>
<p>Any one who would buy $250 worth of toys is not poor or low income by my standard.</p>
<p>Do you have something on layaway at KMart? Surely some CC’er will be happy to help out.</p>
<p>
It’s not an either/or, Dad - many people donate money for food as well as toys, and perhaps these anonymous donors have done exactly that. </p>
<p>Besides, from what I read in the Parent Cafe, some toys are really expensive.</p>
<p>Donating food is always a great idea! It’s especially easy to do so with so many charities soliciting at the holidays.</p>
<p>I went by KMart today, and several people had been there before me; there were no more accounts left that met my criteria.</p>
<p>LasMa,</p>
<p>You might still have an opportunity. Maybe someone is putting a bicycle seat, dishes, camera lenses and other equipment on layaway.</p>
<p>Someone gave away $5000 at one of the KMarts on Oahu via layaway payoffs & some cash handouts. </p>
<p>Personally, I think it’s a good idea to work with the existing organizations that are struggling to stay afloat and help people in an organized manner. Many are closing their doors because times are so challenging and funding is drying up. Who will help then?</p>
<p>I love the idea of being the “angel” who pays for all things Christmas for some family.
I also recognize that my money goes farther with organized programs.</p>
<p>You can sometimes find creative donation opportunities. One year CO gave 50% rebate toward state tax bill for donations to their affordable daycare program.</p>