Christmas came early for customers of a Tennessee Walmart thanks to Kid Rock.
The singer decided to pay off all the layaway accounts at a Walmart in Nashville, doling out almost $81,000 to eliminate the balances of over 350 accounts. The store’s manager, Tom Meyer, confirmed this on Saturday speaking with WBIR.
“Kudos to Kid Rock for making such a gesture in our community,” Meyer said to the local NBC station. “I think that’s a pretty Nashville proud moment.”
Rock said he got the idea from actor and producer Tyler Perry.
Last week Perry announced on Twitter that he had paid off the layway accounts at two Walmarts in Georgia near his home.
I was trying to do this anonymously but oh well!!! pic.twitter.com/T0dhRHyU66
— Tyler Perry (@tylerperry) December 6, 2018
So Rock decided to follow his lead.
@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 (@KidRock) December 7, 2018
Store manager Meyer said Rock contacted his Walmart on Friday explaining his desire to pay off all the layaway balances. Rock’s manager later arrived at the store to make the hefty payment.
Meyer said he really enjoyed letting customers know their layaways had been taken care of, most of which were likely children’s Christmas gifts.
Meyer said the customers came into the store both shocked and smiling over Rock’s gesture.
“Today, our store got a call from @KidRock saying he wanted to pay off all of our customers’ remaining layaway balances!” Kid Rock pays off layaways for roughly 350 #Nashville families at the @Walmart along Dickerson Pike!?#PayItForward pic.twitter.com/t1QvK1Bo0a
— Maura Sirianni WKRN (@MauraSirianni) December 8, 2018
For one couple, it was down to paying rent or getting Christmas gifts for their kids, including a guitar for their son. “He bought my son his first guitar.” https://t.co/lvrwLSEYIo
— Tennessean (@Tennessean) December 9, 2018
Kid Rock pays off $81,000 worth of layaways at Nashville Walmart https://t.co/SDaT73dwzC via @freep– class act. @KidRock you are cool.
— Danny ?? (@TheFunkyTwinkie) December 10, 2018
The official Walmart Twitter account thanked both Perry and Rock.
This is awesome! You guys are spreading the Christmas spirit like crazy. ❤️? #SparkKindness
— Walmart (@Walmart) December 7, 2018
Each layaway customer helped by Rock is being given a personalized Christmas card.
“Merry Christmas from your neighbor!” the cards read.
Apparently Tyler and Rock aren’t alone in spreading Christmas cheer in this way. “Celebrities haven’t been alone in spreading acts of kindness this holiday season,” CNN reported. “In recent weeks, anonymous good Samaritans have paid off layaway items in four Walmart stores in different parts of the country — a total of more than $130,000.”
Christmas is the time to open our hearts, and if we can afford it, our wallets to help those in need.
Kid Rock did just that – and now kids all over Nashville will have a little more Santa in their Christmas because of his kindness.