MEDINA, Ohio — To no fault of their own, some families fall on hard times. When it happens around the holidays, there's a special group who carries them through, taking away their worries, and making their dreams come true.
It's a national organization called Best Christmas Ever. Michelle Weinmann is the Cleveland chapter captain.
She says the groups raise money at an annual gala, then go on a major shopping spree for four deserving families who were nominated. The catch? The families have no idea what's coming, leading to the ultimate surprise.
"I can't even begin to tell you when you show up at someone's house, who's going through a really tough time, and they see a bunch of smiling people that are doing something for them, it changes your perspective on just about everything," Weinmann said.
After the money is garnered, the team goes on a major shopping spree. Then, a huge wrapping party, right before the gift drops.
We tagged along for one of them earlier a few weeks ago. It was a group effort with Michelle and her team -- who even brought their own kids to be a part of the magic.
The drop was for the Mallery family. Three-year-old Penny is just one month out from a major surgery for a form of Neuroblastoma.
The group walked up to their door and snuck in dozens of gifts. The Mallery children squealed with delight. Penny's parents, were at a loss for words.
"I was in shock. I was told we were coming here for something for my brother. It wasn't supposed to be for us," Rachel Mallery, Penny's mom said of the surprise gift drop. "We're just very, very honored. Very thankful. Very humbled."
The selfless gesture came at the perfect time: Medical bills are piling up, and just weeks ago, after seven rounds of chemo, Penny's loved ones weren't sure about the future when she was wheeled off for surgery.
"Right before she went under, that was probably right when everything just dropped out and it was extremely scary, just thinking it might've been the last time I'd see her again," James Mallery, Penny's dad said.
"I said my goodbyes that morning. I truly thought that would be it," Penny's grandmother, Julie Dressler, remembered through tears.
It wasn't, though. Penny's doctor removed her tumor successfully.
'When he told us it went perfectly, nobody could really believe it. We were all in shock," Rachel said. "It was the best feeling."
Even better news, Penny's scans are clear. She rang the bell at the hospital to celebrate the end of treatment. She's still got a long road ahead, but there's nothing she can't get through.
"I am so proud. I don't know how she did it," Rachel said.
"A little three-year-old was dealing with that and didn't skip a beat. Her sass helped!" James joked.
Cloaked in gratitude, the Mallery's say Best Christmas Ever inspired them to give back themselves.
"It's very hard to put into words. I don't think any phrase or any words can really do it justice," Rachel. "We see how people were with us, so we can be that with others, as well."
"It's amazing. It really is a great feeling," James said.
For more information on Best Christmas Ever, click here.
