Christmas season is often filled with joy and excitement—but that isn’t always the case. For many people in the Treasure Valley of Idaho, Christmas time brings difficult memories and expenses that cannot always be paid. This year, Central Rent to Own (located in the Treasure Valley of Idaho) saw this as an opportunity to help those in the community that needed it most.

In preparation for this time of year, Central R2O’s website highlighted a way for customers to submit Christmas Wishes with the hopes of their wish being granted. Each of the four Central stores chose one winner whom they thought would be most impacted by a gift this Christmas.

So, in the week leading up to Christmas, one R2O customer in Ontario, OR, and one in Caldwell, Nampa, and Boise, ID were each able to experience the elation of their wish being granted. While some of the stores had their customers drop by the store to receive their gift, Caldwell’s location surprised the lucky family at their home on Christmas Eve morning. Not only did the entire store show up to give the family their gifts, but they were able to get Caldwell Police Officers along with their squad cars to assist in surprising the family. When the officers drove up to the house, sirens blaring, many neighbors came outside to see what the ruckus was about, only to become witnesses to the act of kindness that changed a young boy’s life this Christmas season.

Caldwell wasn’t the only store that was able to make a difference. The other stores’ winners were struggling with everything from a head-on collision to battling Lupus or cancer. Each store wanted to do their share to help people in real need as they battle the circumstances life has thrown at them.
Kit Knight, President of Central R2O reflects back on the gifts that his company was able to give this Christmas season.

“Central is just so grateful to be able to play any part in bringing joy to our community, especially during this time of year,” Kit says. “We were all so excited after seeing how each wish was granted and the impact that it made– we’re already talking about doing it again next year!”
This was Central’s first year granting Christmas wishes and it definitely won’t be their last.

Pictured below: Caldwell's winner celebrates with Central R2O and local police department as he receives his Christmas wish. He asked for a bed to help ease the pain he experiences due to his battle with Lupus.