MACCLENNY, Fla. – A big group of people in Macclenny will have a little easier time affording Christmas gifts this year thanks to country superstars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
Macclenny Walmart management confirmed Tuesday that McGraw's mother, Betty Trimble, went into the store on her son's behalf and paid off $5,000 worth of layaway bills.
Kayla Jackson was among those who were on the receiving end of the generosity. She said she was waiting to pay on her layaway plan when Trimble grabbed her receipt and handed it to a clerk.
She then was stunned to find out that the entire bill for her children's Christmas presents had been paid for courtesy of the international celebrities.
"I couldn't believe it. I didn't know what was going on. I was so confused," Jackson said. "I was like, 'Is this really happening?' And they looked at me and said, 'She just paid your bill.' So it took me a minute to actually figure out what was actually going on, and who it was, and grasp that."
The surprise couldn't have come at a better time for the mother, who went to the store Tuesday after having to leave work early to care for one of her daughters, who was under the weather.
"I was kind of down because I had to leave work and I don't have any sick time or anything to cover it. So I was, like, 'Oh my gosh.' And when that happened it was just sort of uplifting to me because I felt so bad about having to leave," Jackson said.
Once Jackson got over the initial shock, she and McGraw's mother took a picture together. But what wasn't captured in the photo was their warm embrace.
"I hugged her twice. Yeah, it was really a blessing. It really was," she said.
The paid-off receipt came complete with a Christmas card reading, "Merry Christmas, from Tim McGraw and Faith Hill."
Jackson said she was relieved and extremely grateful that she was able to walk out of the Walmart in Baker County with more than $200 worth of toys for her 7-year-old and 3-year-old daughter -- and an addition $4 on a Roll Back promotion.
