Dec. 9 (UPI) — Filmmaker Tyler Perry and musician Kid Rock paid off hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of Walmart layaway bills to help strangers have a happier holiday season.
“I was trying to do this anonymously but due to some circumstances, y’all know nothing stays secret these days,” Perry said in a Twitter video, giving the addresses of two Georgia Walmart stores where he paid off the bills.
“I know it’s hard times. A lot of people are struggling. I’m just really, really grateful to be able to be in a position to do this. God bless you. Go get your stuff. Merry Christmas,” Perry said.
“@tylerperry Great idea! I followed your lead and paid off the layaway at my local Walmart in Nashville. Merry Christmas and God Bless You!” Kid Rock tweeted.
“Today, our store got a call from Kid Rock saying that he wanted to pay off all of our customers’ remaining layaway balances! His gift is bringing incredible joy to about 350 families in Nashville and we’re happy our store could be a part of it. #skylineproud #KidRockrocks,” the Dickerson Pike Walmart wrote on its Facebook page.
The Wrap reported Perry paid more than $430,000 to clear the accounts in two stores, while WBIR-10 News said Kid Rock paid $81,000 to help out the customers of another store.