Kentucky Businessman Buys Out Closing Kmart — and Donates Everything to Charity
- Posted on May 18, 2012 at 9:33pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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WLEX-TV
A Kentucky businessman earned the term “Summer Santa” when he bought out all the merchandise in a closing Kmart store — and donated it all to charity.
Rankin Paynter, who runs a jewelery exchange in Winchester, told WLEX-TV he was at the superstore two days before it was set to shut its doors. Wondering what was going to happen with everything left on the shelves, he got an idea: Buy it all and give it to those in need.
Four cash registers and six-and-a-half hours later, Paynter walked away with a $200,000 haul — even renting a building to store everything.
“What I see is people coming in my store, needy people sell their stuff,” Paynter said. “It’s bad nowadays. I just told (the clerk) let’s just give it away to charity.”
Judy Crowe of Clark County Community Services said it will be the first year they’ve had enough hats, coats and gloves for all the children they serve.
“It’s time to give back,” Paynter said simply.
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Comments (73)
trueamerican40
Posted on May 19, 2012 at 12:16amYou know how much Gaffe Biden gave to charities last year? Take a guess…absolutely NOTHING, zilch, zero. Most commie liberals don’t give much if any at all. Truth.
Report Post »little big man
Posted on May 19, 2012 at 10:38amOh that evil Rich man. how dare he do something nice like that. next thing ya know Joe Biden will be buying out a 7/11.
Report Post »Hunter Campbell
Posted on May 19, 2012 at 11:53amBiden and Obama want to be charitable with other peoples money. Though in fairness Obama did give $ to the Fisher House, Biden averaged $350 yearly in a 10 year period.
Report Post »SJvet
Posted on May 19, 2012 at 3:13pmPlease get your facts straight. Nothing makes conservatives look bad than distorting the truth; that’s what liberals practice so freely. Biden and his wife gave a whopping 1.5% of their income to charity!
Report Post »APROUDVETERAN
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 11:57pmTHIS is what America is ALL About !!!
GOD BLESS HIM !!
Report Post »kalayaan
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 11:46pmWow I wish I have money I would do the same…God bless Rankin Paynter…may his wealth multiply 700X more…
Report Post »Mobie1316
Posted on May 19, 2012 at 1:08pmNo Money? Brothers and Sisters give Time, Sweat Equity, a Help Up, a Meal, a Job, a Lesson, a Bed, a Hug, or in other words be a Vessel for Our Heavenly Father’s Love strengthen the Covenants.
Report Post »freedomisasfreedomdoes
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 11:11pmThat was so kind.
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 11:09pmThe joy of giving is its own reward.
Report Post »Lonescrapper
Posted on May 19, 2012 at 5:51amThat’s not what God says. He promised a kingdom for it.
Report Post »tharpdevenport
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 11:08pmI’m glad he did this, but “It’s time to give back”? Exactly whe is it time? What made it time? This was featured on NBC — was he giving some bull hockey redistribution idea, though he payed for it?
that’s an odd thing to say, after reading this. Doesn’t sit right with me.
Report Post »keann
Posted on May 19, 2012 at 6:33ama little cynical???? Just give the man his due for being a kind, charitable, and worthy human being, wish there were more like him
Report Post »CaptMickeyd
Posted on May 19, 2012 at 2:01pmMaybe he felt like it was his time to give back. Don’t know what kind of business this man is in, but maybe he saw people struggling every day and decided this was a way he could help them out. Give the man props, he did it right. Don’t begrudge him that. He didn’t say, “It’s time everyone gave back.”
Report Post »marlin911
Posted on May 19, 2012 at 2:41pmWhat would you rather him do? And BTW, how much have you given to anyone in the past year to critisize anyone. Makes me angry that you sit in your house and do nothing but when someone else does you have nothing good to say about it.
Report Post »pcj
Posted on May 19, 2012 at 7:36pmWe have all been blessed in some way or another, he means that it’s time to go back to the earlier days when people looked out for each other and helped whoever needed help. People have gotten away from that, he says we should give back what we can, whether it be money, help, needed items, or just cheering someone up. He was able to give back a lot more than most people could, but we all have things we can “gave back”. Mow a neighbor’s lawn, help elderly people with everyday chores, clean up what needs to be cleaned up, and teach our children to do the same. Look around you, there are ways to give…
Report Post »markchase
Posted on May 19, 2012 at 8:52pmI imagine it doesn’t sit right with you. Far too many people automatically assume that all who who exist in the business world are evil whore mongers. NEWSFLASH~~~~They aren’t!! People gripe and complain when they don’t “give back” to the communities that afford them the opportunity to be successful and when they do “give back” they have to endure the accusations, mistrust, name calling, and more. Just accept it for what it is and realize that not everyone in the business world is greedy and evil.
That said, there are many greedy bastards in big business. To those people, take note…..all that you have gained can as easily be lost. Pay attention before it is too late….before the Obama’s, the Pelosi’s, and the Kennedy’s of the world use your greed to turn us into just another socialist/communist third world country. That’s what they want…and you are make it far too easy for them.
Report Post »jacksonnky
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 10:33pmMake me proud to live in Kentucky!
Report Post »db321
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 11:08pmI just watched the video just to see the man for myself that had the wisdom to consider others before considering himself. He probably never will know just how much he has done to help change others peoples lives.
God Bless this man and I hope it inspires others.
Report Post »qzak491
Posted on May 19, 2012 at 1:55pmKinda makes up for the idiots we have in Frankfort.
Report Post »Bryan B
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 10:31pmThis man did a great thing and helped a lot of people, God Bless Him…..
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 10:24pmBRAVO! Mr good Samaritan.
Report Post »cantwaitfor2012
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 10:23pmKudos to him! What a nice thing to do!
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 10:18pmTOO BAD JAY LENO won’t read this story.
He always picks on KENTUCKY
BOO to you Jay!!!!!!!!!
OMG 2012
Report Post »wdan
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 10:15pmSo the rich are greedy and the government needs to tax them higher so that the government can efficiently hand out ………
People and churches are much better at helping than the government. IMHO.
God Bless Mr Paynter.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 10:07pmAmen, when all looks bleakest the truth of humanity with God guiding us shows clear for all to see.
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 10:27pmIF they only knew how much we care, how much we work, how much we give and we also know that our JOB is to be the best we can be, help the most we can help!
When Mitt Romney is elected President there will be a SURGE in ENTREPRENEURAL EFFORTS all across the country!!! People will rejoice; Businesses will Thrive!! Can you imagine the days coming without some AMERICA-HATER on TV EVERY OTHER HOUR telling us how bad we are???
PRAY FOR IT. WORK HARD FOR IT. I love it that MITT did get an Inheritance but gave it all to A University and his MONEY is his! YOU GO MITT!!! I’m also grateful that people are beginning to find out how totally weird Obama is from his background to what he believes. WOW. Well, we can get over this period of near-disaster and hopefully, having had the hell scared out of us (losing America) we will take better care of this Gift from our Precious God!! Our God is an Awesome GOD, and He sure knows how to teach us. THANK YOU, Sir, for your Charity in KY !!!
Report Post »flatbroke
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 10:03pmOur teasure is in Heaven, and what we do here matters, this guy knows this! go for him.
Report Post »TexOkie
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 10:01pmWhat is your bet; Democrat or Republican?
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 10:25pmGenerous
Report Post »paying it forward
good Samaritan
Humble
LaderaCa
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 10:27pmDoes it matter which party or even his personal belief system? This is a good man in ever sense of the term. A true man of honor
Report Post »Dagnabbit5
Posted on May 19, 2012 at 1:14pmHe did a good deed. It doesn’t do any good to assume what his political leanings are. I know several liberals/Democrats who are way more charitable than some of the conservative/Republican I know. You can’t judge every single member of a political party based on how those in Washington act.
Report Post »phillipwgirard
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 9:58pmHats Off,,,
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 9:58pmWhat a wonderful man! God bless him! God is watching us from a distance.. and this guy gave God a big smile! And me too!
Report Post »PHB
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 11:10pmBet ya Dems will have IRS check him out, He is a good man for helping in any way he can… GOD BLESS HIM.
Report Post »Libertarian
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 9:55pmA human interest story?!?!?!?!
Kudos Blaze for picking this one up.
God Bless this man.
Report Post »dmforman
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 9:54pmWe all need to do what we can for those in need. It doesn’t have to be this, and can be something much smaller. We need to show others that we care!!!
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 9:52pmFaith may be lost in sight; Hope ends in fruition; but Charity extends beyond the grave…
This Man performed an Honorable Act. I respect that.
Report Post »MetalPatriot
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 9:47pmWow!
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 9:44pmBut the government should have done it right???
Report Post »Caniac Steve
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 9:42pmwhat a cool thng to do !1
Report Post »DoomsdayProphet
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 9:39pmObviously a christian bigot.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 19, 2012 at 8:25amCharity… done in Private is Christian; Public Charity… is about Ego (and maybe Politics)!
Report Post »MBA
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 9:37pmWhat a cool thing to do. Note to politicians: that’s what this country is about, not government babysitting.
Report Post »Banter
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 9:45pmExactly!
Report Post »Caniac Steve
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 9:49pmamen a very god and charitable thing to do
Report Post »MOONRISE
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 10:27pmYou hit the nail right on the head.
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