Family of 6 who adopted 3 kids gets epic Secret Santa surprise, fulfilling their holiday wish lists
A deserving family who opened their hearts and their home through adoption got an epic holiday surprise from "GMA" sponsor Capital One.
Keia and Richardo Jones-Baldwin, of Kernersville, North Carolina, have grown their family over the years to four kids ranging in age from 2 to 16.
After battling painful miscarriages and infertility, the couple began fostering in 2016, adopting eldest, Karleigh, 16, who first met the couple when she became middle school friends with Zariyah, 15 -- Keia Jones-Baldwin's daughter from a previous relationship.
They became legal guardians to Karleigh in 2016 and one year later, adopted Ayden, 8, whom they had been fostering since 2015. Ayden came from a household of neglect and substance abuse, Jones-Baldwin said. He had spent time in eight different foster care situations before the Jones-Baldwins took him in.
In July 2017, Jones-Baldwin got a call from the foster care agency asking if she'd like to meet a newborn named Princeton in need of a home.
"Princeton, his mom had substance abuse [problems] as well," Jones-Baldwin said. "I put him on my chest for the first time and I never wanted to leave. He was such a sweet baby."
In August 2019, the Jones-Baldwins completed their growing family by officially adopting Princeton.
"I think the most important thing that he brought to our family is a deeper connection on how to love without seeing color," Jones-Baldwin said at the time.
Jones-Baldwin has said she will continue to keep her home open to foster children who are in need of love.
Secret Santa surprise
Everyday life can be hectic and expensive for this household of six, but Keia Jones-Baldwin goes out of her way to make sure all of the children work to volunteer in the community. Christmas is about others, not themselves.
So that's why "GMA" teamed up with our sponsor Capital One to give the family a special surprise in time for Christmas.
Family finance expert Andrea Woroch, a spokesperson for Capital One, visited the family to share expert tips on how to tackle all of their holiday wish lists and make every dollar count.
First, to avoid overspending, do your homework. Research prices before you go, she said, so you can save time and money and make a gifting strategy or a wish list to stay organized.
With their strategies in place and their kids' holiday wish lists in hand, Woroch took Keia and Richardo Jones-Baldwin shopping at Walmart in Highpoint, North Carolina.
Woroch's second tip: Maximize your rewards on purchases with the help of the Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard.
The Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard is designed to maximize holiday shopping because you can earn rewards at Walmart and anywhere Mastercard is accepted with 2% back on travel and dining and 1% everywhere else.
With the Capital One Walmart Rewards card, you earn 5% back on Everyday Low Prices at Walmart.com or 2% back when you buy in store. As a special promotion, for the first 12 months with the card, you earn 5% back on in-store purchases because the card can be linked to Walmart Pay, Walmart’s mobile payment solution. View important rates and disclosures.
After their successful shopping trip, and with a little help from "GMA" and Capital One, Keia and Richardo returned home to surprise their kids with gifts on their holiday wish lists.
Plus, "GMA" surprised the family with items to make their holidays even merrier in 2020 -- including a new entertainment center, TV and microwave and even an Instant Pot for grandma!
