Thanks for stopping by for Day 2 of Upworthy's 31 Days of Happiness Countdown! If this is your first visit, here's the gist: Each day between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, we're sharing stories we hope will bring joy, smiles, and warmth into our lives and yours. It's been a challenging year for a lot of us, so why not end it on a high note with a bit of happiness? Check back tomorrow (or click the links at the bottom) for another installment!
'Tis the season to give big! Just a month before Christmas, a New Jersey man was inspired to give back. Was it the spirit of Santa? Just good ol' human kindness? Either way, he made some families very happy this season. The big-hearted donor, identified as "Charlie K." by CBS Philly, generously paid off $10,780 in layaway orders at the Cherry Hill Toys R Us store.
"[I'm] just trying to bring some happiness to people," Charlie K said, NBC 5 reported. "That's really it. Help bring back to the community that brought so much happiness to me and my family."
Charlie K.'s gift — an "unprecedented" donation, according to the CBS affiliate — covered a whopping 62 orders. When he swung by, Charlie K. also had every interested customer in the store pick out three presents for Toys For Tots — a gesture totaling $2,000 in value helping families in need over the holidays. (And he doesn't even expect any milk or cookies in return!)
"I want to say thank you very much," said Stephanie Dawson, who's layaway order covered seven presents worth $200 for her grandchildren. "Thank God for you."