Residents of Chatham-Kent are once again showing how generous they are.
"The Gift" took place in the municipality on Saturday and organizers said they're thrilled with how many people took part.
Residents in every corner of the municipality were encouraged to leave a donation on their doorsteps for pickup.
Planning Committee Member Brent Wilken said it's hard to put into words the feeling that he got from seeing people from all across Chatham-Kent come out to donate.
Wilken said it's way too early for any estimates of just how much was collected, but said he expects it will be an astronomical figure.
"It's overwhelming, shoulder to shoulder, wall to wall. There's just stuff everywhere," he said. "It just surrounds you when you walk into these gymnasiums and there's stuff packed everywhere. You start looking at it and you see such expensive items, you see such thoughtful items, you see so many handwritten notes. It just brings you to tears."
Residents were asked to provide a variety of donations from canned goods to toys.
According to Wilken, people did just that.
"We didn't know how the community would respond and they responded with so much thoughtfulness," he said. "It's such a mixed bag because we are a mixed bag. They thought of everybody. There's stuff in there for seniors, there's stuff in there for the homeless, there's stuff in there for adults, for every age of kid. There's something for everybody here."
In addition to the residents who donated, Wilken said the day wouldn't have been possible without the over 3,000 volunteers who drove across Chatham-Kent, collecting donations and dropping them off at various sorting centres.
"Outside, they're working like crazy and it's just this unbelievable scene of cars, after cars, dozens of cars getting unloaded, everybody working so hard... Then you go inside and it's like a whole factory operating," he said.
Wilken also praised businesses across the municipality for their efforts, including $3,000 worth of hams donated by Chatham's Breakfast House & Grille as well as dozens of donations from Toy Wars and Collectables, who matched donations that came in from customers.
Wilken said the next few days will be focused on sorting and making sure the donations get into the proper hands. Items will be distributed to 18 local community groups, including the Chatham Goodfellows, Salvation Army, and Outreach for Hunger. Wilken said they are also encouraging anyone who knows someone in need to reach out to organizers directly by emailing thegiftck.ca@gmail.com.
Sorting centres, or "gift factories," are also still accepting donations. A list of drop-off locations can be found on The Gift website.