We are very fortunate to live in a community as generous as the Attleboro area is with its time, talent and treasures. Christmas is for Kids is only one example of this generosity. Over the past month, volunteers collected anecdotes about interesting gifts and stories from donors. The number of children we helped finished at 753 (the last three were added on Christmas Eve morning, but that's another story). We thought it would be good for the community to know some of the behind-the-scenes adventures.

Many of the children's stories made us cry and a few made us smile. The children ranged in ages from days old to a 19-year-old student who was taking care of her sister after the death of their parents. Many are victims of domestic violence, some deal with parents who are incarcerated, addicts, alcoholics, disabled, depressed or clinically mentally ill. Nearly half were referred through social service agencies: the Department of Children and Families, BigBrotherBigSister, the Family Resource Center, the Attleboro Center, the Young Parent Program, New Hope, Journey Home and others.

Nearly 150 families from four towns applied and were accepted. These are often single-parent homes receiving little or no help from the second parent. None want to have to ask for help; most promise to come back to help someday and virtually every year, some do.

What amazes us most are stories that go like this: "is a sweet child who helps take care of her/his younger siblings while (the parent) is working. She/He enjoys reading/sports and works a part-time job to help with the household expenses. She/He is a good student and has managed to keep up her/his grades and is looking forward to applying to college" The resilience of these children motivates and inspires us to keep going because we are convinced most people would prefer to pull the covers over their heads than deal with what these children face.

A 14-year-old boy in particular has stuck with me. He wrote that he had no wishes for Christmas because he'd never really had a Christmas gift and wasn't planning on receiving anything this year. "I'll be straight," he wrote, "I don't need anything and I know I'm not getting anything and don't know why I'm wasting my time writing." I'd love to know his reaction when he saw wrapped presents with his name. Santa came to a teen who had lost some hope and I'm sure that that small kindness made a difference. We believe letting a child know someone cares is one of the most important things an adult can do to bolster a child's confidence. Chances are, you helped. Countless organizations and companies (as far away as Chelmsford) had toy drives, hat and mitten drives, bought gifts, made a cash donation or sent volunteers to help.

Over 120 volunteers (from as far away as Westboro) walked through the drop-off center between Thanksgiving and Dec. 18. The elves were all ages. It was great to see a teen and a retiree working together, having just met, and creating a bag of magic for a little person to open.

A few children too young to volunteer came with gifts they had received as birthday presents. More than once, donors came in to drop off toys or clothes and asked what else we needed, then got on the phone to ask friends and family to buy whatever we were looking for. "OK, they need socks, gift cards and infant clothes.what can you pick up and bring in?" It happened over and over. A few folks dropped by to give money and left with a shopping list.

One hallmark of the program is how hard we try to delight and surprise a child. Each gives us their Number One wish for a toy and clothing and we try very hard to fill that wish. Occasionally, it's an unusual wish and we have a cadre of donors who ask to be called upon when we get something out of the ordinary. This year, one little girl asked for a live Christmas tree. While she was at school, it arrived, ready to be trimmed.

Three sisters wanted to learn to sew and a donor provided a new sewing machine and boxes of fabric. The donor told us that she had been given the fabric and had been wondering what she was going to do with it. Sometimes the cosmos conspires in ways we'd ever anticipate.

Christmas is for Kids is the Great Equalizer. It's an opportunity to give children in need a chance to do what all of their friends are doing: go to the movies, pick out new clothes, play with a new doll, explore a new book, have a soccer ball with their name on it.

The elves worked hard, but there was no shortage of laughter! The last thing my husband, Alan, and I ask each elf as they finish their last shift is to think about the children they helped on Christmas morning before they open their own gifts with their family. Almost without exception, we can tell that a child's story has jumped immediately to their mind as they pause to say goodbye to us with a lump in their throat and promise to see us again next year.

So, until then, please accept this as a thank you to everyone who helped make the 25th Christmas is for Kids drive a tremendous success!

KELLY FOX is coordinator of Christmas Is For Kids.