If you've been listening to the news the past few weeks, chances are you've heard about the anonymous donors who have been paying off strangers' layaway balances at Kmart stores across the country. It seems that the holiday spirit has made its way to the Sachem community, with at least ten anonymous donors mirroring this same act of kindness at Kmart in Farmingville.

Store manager Robert Dloife revealed that the anonymous donations, appearing over the last two weeks, total approximately $8,000 and span several customers' layaway balances. Donors haven't targeted just any accounts, however.

"Most donors have specified that they want their money to go towards layaway balances that have toys or clothing," he said. "They want to make sure that they're helping children to have a great holiday."

Donations amounts have varied, but each has made a significant impact on customers’ layaway balances. The largest donation yet at the Farmingville location arrived this Thursday, with a single donor's payment of $1,500. Due to its size, the sum was applied to several accounts at the Kmart store, helping many families enjoy their holiday without the added financial stress of unpaid balances.

"When we told the affected customers, they were absolutely shocked," Dloife commented. "They can't believe the generosity that strangers have shown to them. There's just genuine excitement among both our staff and the customers who have been impacted by this."

Donors in Farmingville and across the country have chosen to remain anonymous, leading many recipients to dub the selfless group the “Layaway Angels.” Some grateful Kmart customers in other locations have responded to the kindness shown to them by paying off someone else’s layaway balance, continuing the cycle of giving and keeping the spirit of the holidays alive.

Many Long Island communities have experienced this same phenomenon, including Huntington, Bridgehampton and Riverhead among others.

Dloife noted that this is the first year that he and the Kmart staff have seen these particular acts of kindness, but hopefully it won't be the last.