Christmas is going to be a little brighter this year for many families in Hernando County. The Salvation Army played Santa for hundreds of children on Wednesday.
- Salvation Army donates gifts to over 700 kids in Hernando
- Kids received gifts from bikes down to essentials
Volunteers have been working to fill goody bags for 160 families and more than 700 children.
Dolores San Antonio, a widow and single mother, was a recipient of the Salvation Army's generosity.
“Christmas is hard because I miss my husband. My daughter, she doesn't have a dad, but she has me, and I try to do the best I can," San Antonio said.
San Antonio has an 11-year-old, but said she can’t always get her what she wants.
“This year, I think she got what she wanted, so I'm really excited," she said.
The Salvation Army has been collecting items since October, from bikes to essentials.
“We just got custody of the children, and we didn't have anything, so this means a lot," said Marilyn Scaccio, trying to hold back tears.
Scaccio, 62, just took in her three toddler grandchildren.
“I can just see it on Christmas morning... I can't even put words to it. It's just amazing, it's going to be amazing," Scaccio said.
With all the chaos going on in the Scaccios' lives, the gifts provided joy for the holiday season.
The Salvation Army was able to provide at least five gifts per child.