Wilmington, NC News

BOLIVIA, NC (WWAY) — There are many families who may be in the cold this holiday season, but tonight, there’s one fewer thanks to our “Heat for the Holidays” contest.

Al Fulford Heating & Air teamed up with WWAY again this holiday season to give away a brand new RHEEM energy efficient, heating and air conditioning system!

A panel of community volunteers evaluated all of the nominations and granted a family in need in our community a very special Christmas wish.

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The holidays are some of the deadly days of the year.

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Merry Christmas from your First Alert Weather team! The holiday will be dry, but a rain chance will return shortly after.

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Wilmington, NC (WWAY) — Today was of course the last day to finish off your Christmas shopping list.

Toys “R” Us was just one of the few places that had extended hours Tuesday evening.

One of the shoppers we spoke too says she thought she planned ahead this year by ordering gifts online, but when they didn’t arrive she had to come up with a backup plan.

“I ordered some things that did not come, so I had to come out and find something real quick,” said Donna Waggett, Shopper.

Waggett says she went to several stores today and the only thing she needed to do was pack her patience when trying to find a parking spot.

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WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — As many of you finished your Christmas shopping this week, one Secret Santa spread Christmas joy around our area.

John Butler and his wife went to get their items out of layaway Monday evening when they got the surprise of a lifetime.

“It was truly a blessing and a miracle for our Christmas,” said John Butler.

A Secret Santa dropped by the Kmart on College Road sometime Monday morning and paid off more than 50 layaway orders.

“They started bringing our boxes out and then they said you are all set….somebody has already paid for your layaway,” said John Butler.

Store Managers say the mystery man spent somewhere between $15-$18,000 to make Christmas a little brighter for families here in the Port City.

John says this Christmas blessing came at the perfect time.

It’s been a struggle this year and sometimes we just get caught up in that struggle. This right here just lets us know that there are people out there that really do care,” said John Butler

The Butler’s know they will never know who helped them this holiday season, but they have a message for their Secret Santa.

“Thank you, so very much. You just don’t know what your generosity did to our family,” said Sherry Butler.

The Butler’s say this will be a Christmas they will never forget. They hope to someday pay this blessing forward.

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