Secret Santa pays off local families' layaways

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — A secret Santa is bringing some unexpected smiles to local families.

Dennis and Autumn Buckley of Washington County got a layaway receipt from Toys R Us that said "paid for by Santa."

"I said, 'Call it back, but use the cell phone. It's probably a scam.' I didn't trust it," said Dennis Buckley.

It was real. The Christmas toys for the Buckley's two-year-old son, John, were paid off by a secret Santa. Four other families' layaways were paid off, too.

"I think it's heartfelt and honestly I'm really thankful for knowing there are people out there that are doing these things. That's what I think about it. I think it's amazing," said Dennis Buckley.

The Buckley's said they're not facing financial hardship, so the family is paying it forward since Dennis Buckley is a pilot.

"I am going to put 10 hours of flight time toward the Angel Flight organization," said Dennis Buckley.

Angel Flight is a nonprofit organization. Volunteers fly medical victims or people in need of medical attention.

"You hear about things like this happening and then when it happens to you, it just touches you in a way that lets you know there is that Santa Claus out there who cares for everybody," said Autumn Buckley.

WPXI