In a world that often seems filled with grim headlines and challenging times, a heartwarming tale has emerged from Melbourne that’s sure to restore your faith in humanity and the spirit of giving. As the festive season approaches, an anonymous couple has taken on the role of Secret Santa in the most extraordinary way, bringing tears of joy to dozens of families.
The story began to unfold nearly half a year ago at Toyworld Pakenham, where a mystery couple quietly started paying off layby balances for unsuspecting families. This incredible act of generosity was kept under wraps until recently, when the store revealed that almost 100 accounts had been settled, just in time for Christmas.
Imagine the surprise and overwhelming emotion for parents like Melissa Roberson, a mum-of-two, who found out that her children’s Christmas gifts were paid for by complete strangers. ‘My children are actually going to have a great Christmas. Thank you to all these people,’ she said, her gratitude evident through her tears. For families like hers, this gesture is more than just a financial relief; it’s a beacon of hope and a reminder of the good in the world.
The identity of the couple remains a mystery, with only a few details known. Sandra Evans of Toyworld shared, ‘I don’t know much about the family, all I know is that it’s a husband and wife and they’ve got four young children.’ The couple’s ability to keep their ongoing charity a secret from the community adds an extra layer of magic to their kindness.
This isn’t the first time such a gesture has been made. Just last week, a similar act of goodwill occurred at Toyworld in Helensvale, on the Gold Coast, where another anonymous benefactor paid off every layby item in the store. Brooklyn Manu, a local recipient of this generosity, was among those who received a call about the unexpected gift. Toyworld manager Aleka Riggs reflected on the emotional impact, saying, ‘We were very teary-eyed, all of us were. It’s a feel-good thing you don’t see a lot. It’s beyond kindness — really amazing someone would do that.’
As we find ourselves four weeks out from Christmas, amidst a cost-of-living crisis, these acts of kindness have saved 40 families thousands of dollars. The sentiment is beautifully summed up by Riggs: ‘Just thank you again, I can only imagine there are a lot of families that might be struggling to pay those laybys off.’
The tradition of anonymous Christmas generosity at Toyworld stores is not new. It stretches back to 2020 when a mystery woman paid off $16,000 worth of gifts at a Burleigh Waters store. In 2021, an elderly Victorian couple continued the tradition, paying off laybys for 82 strangers after a particularly difficult year for their community.
We invite you to share your thoughts on this heartwarming story. Have you ever been the recipient of a random act of kindness, or perhaps you’ve played Secret Santa to someone in need? Let’s celebrate the spirit of giving together and inspire one another with tales of generosity and compassion in the comments below.
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It’s a lovely, generous thought, but did the gift-giver have access to the details of those with layby’s? I have some concerns about privacy