A north Chilton County family will have a merry Christmas this year, thanks to the efforts of several volunteers.

The volunteers of North Chilton Fire Department, employees of Regional Paramedical Services, Sheriff Kevin Davis and deputies responded to a special call for help this week by purchasing food, gifts and clothing for a family of seven children.

In a time of economic hardship, these individuals dug into their pockets and found the true joy of Christmas — the joy of giving.

“We take for granted the needs of others in our community beyond the 911 emergency calls we respond to,” North Chilton Fire Chief Jason Scott said. “Sometimes the most simple acts of kindness provide the department members and families the greatest reward.”

A special “Christmas committee” was formed to coordinate the project. The committee comprised four NCFD volunteers — Katie Moon, Kevin Dennis, Jason Snipes and department chaplain Allen Foster.

The volunteers and employees also shopped for gifts and prepared food items. On Christmas Eve, vehicles from each department will deliver the gifts and a home-cooked Christmas feast to the family.

“In this day and time, just to put food on the table is hard for some families. We are so blessed to be able to help this family this year. I just hope this starts a chain reaction, and the blessing continues,” Assistant Rescue Chief Kevin Dennis said.

North Chilton’s rescue chief, Jason Snipes, said the project was in the works even before the family’s need was known. He said the family would not have been able to afford gifts on their own.

“This time of the year is full of miracles,” he said. “In this line of work, we see these miracles firsthand. It feels great to be able to be a miracle to a family — no doubt we were placed and sent here to do what we do.”