Secret Santa pays off families' layaway purchases for holidays

40 families get surprised at Hollywood Kmart

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Every year, a South Florida businessman visits area layaway departments and makes holiday dreams come true.

Five days before Christmas, the "Secret Santa" hit up the Kmart in Oakwood Plaza to surprise 40 families.

Denise Bowie was the first person to come in.

"I can't believe it! Thank you so much!" Bowie said.

She said her 8-year-old daughter will be so happy.

"I do a lot for people and I am glad there are other people out there like me," Bowie said.

Sourette Seijemei has seven children. She said she was just getting off work when she got a call that her layaway items had been paid for.  

"I rushed over here. I can't believe it," she said. "Thank you to whoever did this."

Every year, the Secret Santa event is sponsored by the GummaKonda Ready Foundation. The foundation raises funds for the event and is sponsored by companies such as Southern Wine and Memorial Healthcare.

Cynthia Davis never got the call and screamed when she heard the gifts for her 11 grandchildren had been paid off.

"I don't even have the words to describe it," Davis said. "It's a blessing (that's) very special for my kids."