PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) — Christmas shoppers got a huge surprise from Petersburg area native turned Seattle Seahawks running back CJ Prosise, helping to lighten the load and spread some cheer for the holidays.

He, along with non-profit Pay Away The Layaway, paid off thousands of dollars in gifts that shoppers had put on layaway at the Burlington Coat Factory in Colonial Heights.

“We just wanted to come back and just take care of as many people as we could, pay away layaway.”, said Prosise’s father, Calvin Prosise.

June Everson said she received a call Friday, telling her to be at the store at 10 a.m.

She didn’t know what for but says it turned out to be a blessing that helped out tremendously.

She told us that she’d picked up, “some little clothes for my grandson. He just turned five months old and I didn’t have the money to get this out. I was going to get it out at the first of the year, to be honest with you, but I’ve been blessed. This is Santa Claus, this is Christmas and I just thank God so much for it.”

Calvin Prosise says it important to give back, but especially to your own community.

He said, “It just brings us joy to see all the smiles on their faces you know. It’s very touching.”Never miss another Facebook post from 8NewsFind 8News on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; send your news tips to iReport8@wric.com.