Pittsburgh Steelers

Juju Smith-Schuster pays off $12,500 of customer layaways at local store

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster paid off $12,500 worth of layaway balances at the Pittsburgh Burlington store, impacting 88 families this holiday season.

According to a news release, Smith-Schuster partnered with the nonprofit Pay Away the Layaway. Volunteers and store staff ensured a safe drive-through event for all customers by wearing masks, socially distancing and limiting person-to-person contact. The families were surprised with the news when they arrived at the store.

“This has been an especially difficult year for so many families. Our mission at Pay Away the Layaway is to inspire hope and spread kindness,” said Lee Karchawer, founder of Pay Away the Layaway.

Recently, Smith-Schuster helped deliver Thanksgiving meals to seniors after the Steelers game against the Ravens was postponed.