One family’s decision to make a difference in someone else’s life resulted in a Christmas bounty for a single mother and her two children.

Initiated by family members Fawn Burgess, Janice Outerbridge and Pamela Wade, the collection got contributions from church members and others until more than $600 in gifts had been collected.

“I have to say a huge thank you to all of you who contributed in some way to our family,” their recipient wrote. “You definitely helped us to have a fun and memorable Christmas.”

The woman, who has been left unnamed to protect her family’s privacy, said the gifts left her at a loss for words.

“To think that a family would come together like you all did, and help to make someone else’s Christmas a better one, was so touching,” she told them. “I can truly say that was a wonderful idea, and my children were so excited to see those gifts under the tree. When they saw the gifts they both said, ‘Wow!’

“This year has been a struggle for me financially, and I know that it’s not about the gifts,” she added. “However, as a child I had nothing but loving and fun memories of Christmas, and that is what I wanted for my children. And you all definitely helped me to make that happen!”

The extended Smith and Wade family pitched together to give toys to the children — plus a $200 MarketPlace voucher, a $200 gift certificate to Gibbons Company, a $100 voucher for gas, a trove of groceries including a ham, and $130 cash.

“We decided back in November that we would like to bless someone and their family,” Ms Wade said.

“My niece found a family in need, and between Fawn, Janice and me, we went about getting funds. Everybody wanted to help, including my niece and two nephews who live in Canada. Everybody feels so good about it. We were going to keep it quiet, but we in the end we thought it was good to get it out.”

Her church provided a food hamper, she added.

“One thing I try to tell my grandchildren is that because we’re blessed, it’s so important to help others.”

The family hopes to rally around the same cause in 2014 with an earlier start in their collections.

“Maybe next year we will be able to bless more than one family,” Ms Wade said.