For the past month, the Charlotte Observer has run a series of stories on particular struggling families that signed up to get toys from the Salvation Army's annual Christmas program. And dozens of readers responded to the stories with offers of cash, toys, furniture and groceries.

"In one case, a couple accepted an invitation to lunch at Wendy's, where a reader presented them with a check for $15,000 on behalf of an anonymous philanthropist."

In another, a little boy and his sister received a delivery of 100 books, after the Observer article shared that he loved his Charlie Brown book that he got last Christmas through the Empty Stockings program.

One of the biggest responses from readers followed the story featuring a 58-year-old disabled woman raising two small grandchildren.

"After reading the story, one Huntersville man arranged to have new beds delivered to Ross' home, along with bed linens he collected through his bridge club," reports the Observer.

He and other donors filled their home with toys on the children's' Christmas wish lists and a much-needed clothes dryer.

(READ the story from the Observer)

Photo credit: brent flanders (CC license) / Story tip from Kelly Harrington