A Christmas charity appeal by American Airlines staff in Bermuda has been given wings.A drive to bring some festive cheer to two single parents raised so much cash they were able to increase the number of families they could assist to seven. Chelsea Knight, an AA employee at the airport, said: “The response from the recipients was beyond what I even imagined. “They were just so happy. I’m hoping this becomes a tradition.”Ms Knight said AA staff had used bake sales to raise money to support seniors homes for several years and the decision to also support single parents was a first.She explained: “I was at home and thought about how there are so many single parents out there that need help. “I came to work the next day and brought it up to the staff who were here, and that was it.” The group decided to use social media to find suitable candidates for the Christmas surprise and asked for suggestions of a single father and single mother.The workers said the reaction was overwhelming.Mary Watson, another AA staff member, said: “Some of the people nominated were nominated two or three times by different people without their knowledge.”Ms Knight added she contacted potential sponsors to see if they might be interested in the donation of a gift.She said: “It was pretty amazing to even get a response from the companies that donated. I just put it out there. I thought I would either get a yes or a no, and they responded well.”Jamie Madison Collection, the Liberty Theatre, FryDays Restaurant, Belvin’s Variety and others stepped up to help make the holidays special with presents, gift cards, Christmas dinners and even Christmas trees. Ms Knight said: “We had two bake sales, but we raised about $1,400 for the old folks’ homes and the single parents and then with the corporate donations there was even more.”Staff selected Katrina Christie and Jerome Martin as the winners, but had enough gifts left over to help extra families as well.Joanna Hendrickson, another AA staffer, added: “We had so much more to give that we decided to gift five other families with a few Christmas surprises as well.”Ms Hendrickson said: “Our hope is for this experience to not only be a lasting one, but also one of encouragement, for the smallest intentions do not require a huge amount of money or waiting for the right moment.“It requires only a desire matched with purpose, set upon the foundation of caring.”The families were invited to the American Airline’s Hamilton office last Tuesday where they were surprised with the presents.Ms Watson said: “It brought tears to our eyes. It is hard to be a single mother or father, but to see the joy in the children’s faces and know that people are thinking about them and their parents, it’s special.”Jameka Talbot, also of AA, added: “We all know Christmas isn’t just about gifts, but it’s hard to explain that to children if they have nothing under the tree and their friends are bragging about what they are getting.“To get one thing on your list is a big deal.”