CHARLOTTE, N.C. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) — The holidays are a little brighter this Christmas for more than 25 families across the Queen City.

It all happened well before santa arrived. Holiday cheer of a different kind was spread throughout several Charlotte neighborhoods. Volunteers brought gifts and smiles for families who needed them most.

“My mom, her husband died when I was a little kid so Christmas for us was always a little tough,” said Crystal Bailey.

Bailey was surprised with gifts for her 3 children. The surprise came unannounced at her front door.

“This right here, it gives you a reason to believe that people are going somewhere and we care about each other because if you didn’t care no one would take time out of their day to do something like this,” said Bailey.

While the community focused their efforts on the kids, a secret Santa made sure to stretch her dollar even further.

“With this right here, she is actually going to pay for electric bill next month,” said a volunteer to one neighbor.

An anonymous donor came forward with the cash donation Christmas Eve morning.

“I am so thankful and wish I could meet her to tell her I am thankful. I had recently lost work and am still looking. This just made it a little tougher for the holiday season,” said Lisa Lattimore.

A holiday season saved for Lisa Lattimore and her family.  For the 6th year Team TruBlue spent Christmas Eve delivering holiday cheer to more than 25 families.

“It’s still a tear jerker because there are some families out there who, without the community and without an organization like team TruBlue, these kids wouldn’t have anything,” said Will Adams from Team TruBlue.

But now, dozens of deserving kids will have something to celebrate this holiday.