Photos of the Day: Strongsville Makes Christmas Bright for Kids in Appalachia

"We Care," the Strongsville-based organization that delivers Christmas gifts and meals to a depressed area in the Appalachians, left for Boone County, WV Friday morning with a truck filled with clothes, food, shoes, books and toys.

This is the 23rd year Terry Evans and a crew of volunteers have provided a Christmas holiday to the community.

The families in the coal-mining area are so destitute, many kids literally don't eat between the time school lets out on Friday and starts again on Monday

"They're most excited about the shoes," Evans said. "The teachers say they play Christmas music when they pass out the shoes, and the kids are just laughing and singing."

Fire Chief Jeff Branic and his wife, Neomia, are driving the truck down this year. 

The Strongsville Fire Department is heavily involved in We Care, running a coat drive, helping load the truck and then driving it to West Virginia.