Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson made a generous donation to several unsuspecting customers at a New Orleans Walmart as she paid off nearly $100,000 worth of layaway items.
She made the gesture as an anonymous customer and it was later confirmed that Benson was behind it, according to WWLTV. The payments totaled $93,502 and covered roughly 408 items.
"This was a gift from Mrs. Benson for the holidays," the Saints said in a statement.
Store manager Zena Williams told The Advocate that the customers were floored to receive Benson's payment.
"They're coming in, and they're calling their friends and family," Williams said. "They're very excited. It's a good thing. It's a good thing for the community. It's a good thing for the store."
Benson, 71, became the sole owner of the Saints and Pelicans after her husband and previous owner Tom Benson died in March. Tom Benson purchased the Saints in 1985 and owned the team for more than three decades. He was 90 years old.
