LACEY – Remember that viral Facebook event, the “Walmart Self-Checkout Employee Christmas Party?” The one that started as a sarcastic jab at receipt checks and exploded into a heartwarming gift drive for families and pets?
The story of the event’s grand finale is a holiday miracle with enough twists and turns to rival a malfunctioning self-checkout machine.
It all began on November 26 when Andrew “Drew” Delgado, a 31-year-old local resident, found himself fuming after a trip to the Lanoka Harbor Walmart store. What irked him was the seemingly not so random selection of customers targeted for receipt checks, which included familiar faces like him.
“I felt like I was profiled because I wear a hoodie and have a lot of tattoos,” shared Delgado. “That day, there were probably seven or other people walking out with me. One was a mom with her kids and a shopping cart full of unbagged items. They didn’t stop her.”
Drew and Nicole Delgado oversaw the donation drive. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Delgado said the employees stationed at the door interrupted their conversation to come over to check his receipt. Despite Delgado’s suggestion that they should easily recognize him due to his frequent visits of 2-3 times a week, his remark was met with apparent disregard.
Instead of letting his frustration fester, Delgado channeled his creative energy into a unique response. In a stroke of comedic genius, he created the “Walmart Self-Checkout Employee Christmas Party” on Facebook, a spoof event that sarcastically highlighted the irony of customers doing the heavy lifting while employees stood by, checking receipts.
“I only posted the event on two Facebook groups,” Delgado said. “And then, I just left it alone and didn’t think about it…until the notifications started coming in.”
To Delgado’s surprise, the event took off like wildfire, with a staggering response from the community. As of last week, 48.9K people signaled their interest in attending the event scheduled for December 15. However, as the momentum grew, Delgado realized that the humorous gathering might not materialize as initially envisioned.
Acknowledging the unexpected turn of events, Delgado and the growing number of participants decided to transform the endeavor into a force for good. On December 1, Delgado updated the event page, expressing both amazement and a newfound sense of responsibility.
The decision was made to shift the focus from poking fun at checkout dynamics to a collective effort to support those in need during the holiday season.
As the owner of The Wax Haus, an auto detailing shop in Tuckerton, Delgado didn’t have an abundance of time to orchestrate the event. Thankfully, his wife Nicole played a crucial role by assisting in the creation of gift lists centered around their two favorite recipients – children and animals.
After local resident Drew Delgado’s spoof Christmas party for Walmart checkout employees went viral, the couple created a giving event that will benefit area children and pets. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
The response was overwhelming, with gifts pouring in from various parts of the country. In a noteworthy gesture, Walmart Store Manager Will Ferguson contributed five or six boxes of donations to further support the cause.
However, there was also the issue of those who planned to show up at the event in person. And that’s when the Lacey Elks stepped in to do what they do best – lend a hand in the community.
“I saw they needed a place for people to drop off things,” said Mark Nigro of the Elks. “I told them we could set things up here outside and would also have Santa here with his sleigh.”
Despite having two events slated within the confines of the Elks Hall, the organization thoughtfully arranged outdoor drop-off points for gifts. A welcoming outdoor space, complete with a roaring fire, provided an inviting atmosphere for individuals who desired to come together and share each other’s company amidst the gathering of strangers.
The evening ended with Santa and Mrs. Claus waving a cheery goodbye to cars exiting the venue, their jolly bellies filled with the joy of giving. Popcorn Zoo’s table overflowed with donations for its furry residents, a testament to the spirit of kindness.
Santa and Mrs. Claus waved to guests as they exited the Elks. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Delgado, the unlikely architect of this holiday magic, estimated that over 1,000 families would benefit from the overflowing bins. But the generosity went beyond toys and pet treats; the local food bank received mountains of food, formula, diapers, and other essentials, proof that the event had tapped into a deep well of community spirit.
Delgado quickly reminded that he doesn’t mind the self-checkout experience itself. It was the inconsistent receipt checks that sparked his initial spark of frustration.
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan
And that’s the magic of this story – a tiny annoyance blossomed into a wave of holiday cheer, reminding all that sometimes, the greatest gifts come wrapped in the unexpected.
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