ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
After a tremendous community outpouring, L.I.F.T. Volunteer Coordinator Shurnethia Russell and a small squad of helpers put the finishing touches on the organization's eighth annual toy give away.
Twenty-one days ago, Russell and her mother didn't think this year's giveaway would be possible after thieves stole almost all of the toys they had collected over nearly the last year.
"It was really tough," Russell said. "We didn't know what we were going to do. But we could not disappoint our community, we know we had to keep going."
To their surprise, complete strangers who heard about L.I.F.T.'s loss rushed to help. They bought board games, dolls and bikes.
Many even wrote checks which amounted to thousands in donations, all to save Christmas for the metro area's most needy.
"This is amazing, it is an experience that is so overwhelming. I'm just so touched," Russell said.
L.I.F.T. was able to serve more than 200 families with the donations.
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