Toyworld Canberra co-owner and managing director Peter Macleod has been dealing with a lot of joy in the past few days.
Not just the usual rush to buy toys before Christmas, but something more meaningful, a true act of selfless generosity.
Last Sunday, a woman who wanted to do some good this Christmas visited the store at Fyshwick.
The woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, paid "a large sum", stretching into "the thousands" to go towards paying off parents' laybys of toys for their children for Christmas.
"She came in Sunday afternoon and then she made the payment effectively on the Monday," Mr Macleod said.
"We went through all our laybys and split it across all the laybys for everybody. It was just amazing.
"It didn't pay off everyone's but it heavily reduced everyone's layby. So many people are on layby this year for Christmas. In these challenging times, people wanted to pay things off as they went. They were trying the best they could because they didn't want their kids to miss out this Christmas. That's what we've been getting a lot from our customers."
Mr Macleod was not at liberty to say exactly how much the woman donated, but it reduced the balance on 178 laybys.
"It was in the thousands," he said, of the amount donated.
"She just wanted to do something good and kind. She knows about us and what we do in the community, we're a major sponsor of Kids in Care and the Special Needs Christmas party.
"So, she felt she could help out families and help out small business at the same time. She blew me away.
"I was just shocked. I know so many business owners in the ACT and there's been so many sad stories this year and it was just good to be involved in a good story for a change."
The families who benefited were thrilled.
"Oh, they're over the moon," Mr Macleod said.
"They're so thankful to have their balances reduced. We distributed an equal amount between everyone to make it fair."
The woman had a secure job and just wanted to help others who might be struggling.
"A lot of people have done it tough this year," Mr Macleod said.
"We've been fortunate because we've employed people this year because we've expanded our second store in Belconnen. So we gave people jobs who didn't have jobs.
"But most people you talk to, it's more the other way. It's tough out there, it is. And a lot of people just got a nice Christmas gift."
Mr Macleod was adamant the woman did not want to be identified in any way.
"She knows she's done a nice thing. She didn't need everyone else to know," he said.
"She said she just wanted to give back to the community. She's an amazing individual."
Megan Doherty
I like telling local stories and celebrating Canberra. Email: megan.doherty@canberratimes.com.au
I like telling local stories and celebrating Canberra. Email: megan.doherty@canberratimes.com.au
