SHAMOKIN - Several members of a Coal Township family calling themselves the "Secret Santa Society" made Christmas very enjoyable for a struggling Shamokin family of five by surprising them with presents and food Christmas Eve.
A spokeswoman for the generous group, who insisted on remaining anonymous, presented $300 worth of presents and food to the McFee family, of 300 W. Pine St., at 9 p.m. after hearing of their struggles Friday.
Among the gifts was a new bicycle for 7-year-old Dennis McFee Jr. Presents also were given to his 17-year-old sister, Dalina; 15-year-old brother, Billy, and parents, Dawn and Dennis McFee Sr.
According to a member of the "Secret Santa Society," Dennis Jr., who is a student in a CCD class coordinated by Mother Cabrini Church, asked his instructor for two extra cookies to take home during his class on Dec. 18. The teacher gladly gave the youngster the cookies, but inquired why he wanted them. Dennis Jr. told the teacher his family couldn't afford to make cookies or purchase presents or a Christmas tree this year.
After making several telephone calls and other contacts, the charitable group was able to pull off what some might call a "Christmas miracle" in about a day by having Santa Claus deliver presents and food to the family just in time for the holiday.
The group was assisted in their efforts by Bernie Rumberger, Shamokin Patrolman Jarrod Scandle, the Loyal Order of Moose in Shamokin and Choice Cigarette Discount Outlet at Race and Pearl streets.
Mrs. McFee said, "I got a call Saturday morning from someone who said Santa Claus and other people would be bringing presents, food and a Christmas tree to our house at 9 p.m. And sure enough, that's what happened. I couldn't believe it."
"It's been a big struggle for us this year and this really made our Christmas very enjoyable," she said. "I never expected anything like that. We are all so grateful for their generosity. It was truly a blessing."
Mrs. McFee said her family was able to obtain a Christmas tree before Saturday's generous offer from the anonymous group. "I appreciated their offer, but I told them to give the tree to someone else who needed one."
In addition to experiencing financial difficulty, Mrs. McFee said her family cares for her sickly 86-year-old grandmother who lives with them.
Mrs. McFee works for a home health aide agency, while her husband is employed at McDonald's.
The family moved to Shamokin three years from Brooklyn, N.Y.