The Windsor-Essex Children's Aid Society is sending a big thank you to the community.
As part of its Holiday Program, the organization sponsors about 700 families, and just a week before Christmas was falling short of it's goal.
It was announced Friday morning, that in the end, more than 800 families were sponsored.
Spokesperson Mike Clark says over $70,000 was raised and in-kind gifts including clothing, toys and gift cards, totalled more than $500,000.
The program provides the families with their wish list of items which Clark says in many cases includes household essentials.