Random secret Santas paid off nearly $500,000 at Wal-Marts in three states, making many families' Christmas dreams come true.

In one McDonald's drive through, about 250 passengers between the hours of 9am-3pm paid for the food of the car behind them.

One woman started the "Doorstep Challenge" wherein you leave a gift at someone's doorstep and write an anonymous note that says someone was thinking about them.

This homeless man was gifted bus ticket home, a bag of clothes, and a $250 gift card. Surprisingly, he paid it forward himself by using the $250 gift card to purchase another bus ticket for a stranger who also wanted to go home.

A waitress picked up the check for two New Jersey firefighters who had been working all night. As you can see by this note, they returned the favor.

Pittsburgh Steelers’ safety Will Allen took a bunch of kids from the Boys and Girls club shopping at Kmart, paying for their gifts and helping them pick out gifts for their families.

Leadington Police Chief Dustin McKinney puts a smile on the face of a motorist pulled over for a minor traffic violation. The driver received Christmas gifts for his family instead of a traffic ticket.

An Olive Garden waitress was tipped $1000 on a $75 bill and decided to pay it forward in her own way: She went out to dinner and paid for another couple's meal, and left a nice tip for their waitress.

Young girl surprises stranger with a card containing $50 and a powerful note, handing it to him while he was out walking his dog. He decided to pay it forward, giving it to his local food pantry.

Some Michigan high school football players decided to pay it forward at a local restaurant, prompting other customers to do the same.

A random customer offered to pay for other customer's Target items . The total came in at $131.41.

LaToya Ellis and her family were unexpectedly evicted from their apartment, just before the holidays. It was then that she got a call from a donor, who offered to pay her rent for a year.

This nurse out of her way to get elderly man she met into a program that would serve meals to his home on a regular basis.

One local realty company in Waco used the proceeds of a house sale to give back to their community, including buying presents for families in need.

This random acts of kindness club has been making people's wishes come true for the past 15 years: One by one, the 125 members of the club set out with $100 to help out someone in need.

A high school student in one community passed away suddenly just one year ago. To honor his life, members of his town decided to visit their local K-Mart before Christmas, paying off the layaway balances of a number of shoppers. They also bought lottery tickets and left them for the customers, along with a note that said "A Random Act of Kindness In Honor Of James Jewett."

Accompanied by a small group of elves, an anonymous Santa distributed good cheer to unsuspecting Great Falls shoppers Wednesday morning. The gifts were not life changing: a rush-hour breakfast sandwich, a few gallons of gas, a couple bags of groceries. But they were all that was needed to spread an honest spirit of good among those lucky few fortunate to receive the gifts.

Sarah Caskey was doing some last minute shopping with her family when a random stranger approached her and gave her over $100 in cash, asking for nothing in return.

Eunice Showers wrote to Windy City LIVE's Random Acts of Kindness about her sister, Denise, who has given up her nursing job and made other major sacrifices to be the primary caregiver of her parents. "For over 5 years my sister has been the primary caregiver for our parents. Dad passed away in 2011. Mom has dementia. My sister is a nurse, and opted to leave her job to care for our parents. She has two grown children and with limited income, she's made major sacrifices. I'd love to surprise my sister," wrote Showers. The station donated $1000 to help stock Denise's fridge, and she was also donated a brand new refrigerator.

The North Port Police Department planted a volunteer and World War II veteran Bill Greenham, 89, outside the store where he dropped things and appeared to need help. Many people came to his rescue, and after they did, the police department surprised them with gifts.

Las Vegas Firefighters helped pay it forward by "adopting" six struggling families, buying them presents, cooking them a meal, and ensuring that they had a great Christmas.

Drew Brauer was buying presents for his extended family last week when he had an idea: "I got to the counter to pay for my stuff and there was a lady behind me with a few kids waiting to pay," the 28-year-old musician told ABC News. "And as the cashier was taking my money, I just gave him the extra money and told him to give it to whomever was next in line."

Students of East View Elementary in Olean had a busy and amazing holiday season. They visited and shared songs with residents and patients at an assisted living facility, the post office, and the hospital. They also handed out candy canes to passers-by, and taped quarters on the washing machines at local laundromats.

Employees of the Savings Bank of Danbury have hidden at least 50 envelopes around the city since Tuesday, each containing $50 in cash. The bank hoped to inspire a bit of charitable giving with its customers.

Finally, at the Changi Airport in Singapore, the facility delighted travelers with an interactive Star Wars exhibit, proving that travel during the holidays doesn't have to be that bad.