Facebook is, by and large, an awful place filled with screaming (read: all caps) commentary, painful political arguments and Star Wars spoilers. But, on occasion, it can also be a place where people can connect with each other with the intention of doing some good for their community on the Internet and on the streets.

Anyone who’s on Facebook in Kensington probably knows Gary Summerfield or Lynn Gillis-Shain, or at least “knows” them on the Internet. Summerfield runs the Kensington Pride group and Gillis moderates Kensington Neighborhood Alumnae. The two groups are very active and combine for almost 20,000 members, most of whom have called Kensington their home at one point in their lives. Members post news articles about their ‘hood, recall old memories, share photos from years past and take part in the long-running Kensington Pride word association game.

While active on Facebook, Summerfield and Gillis-Shain are also active in the community and both make it a point to help out come Christmas time. So the two, along with Bill Lorch, Barb Raimo and Don Gould, decided to join forces and, through a crowdfunding campaign last month, raised around $5,000 to help make the holiday better for neighborhood families in need. In addition, $500 worth of ShopRite gift cards were given to the St. Francis Inn, a Franciscan institution under the El that aims “to meet the immediate daily needs of the people we serve with food, clothing and hospitality.”

“I usually hit up [local businesses] for money each year, throw in some of my own money, buy a bunch of gift cards and hand them off to the St. Francis Inn for them to give out,” Summerfield said. “But what we did this year sure is something [special] and something that could be a lot bigger for the neighborhood moving forward.”

In total, eight families and 24 children were presented with gift cards from retail shops like Old Navy, Target and Walmart, toys and a warm meal at the Kensington Pub (2116 E. Tioga St.) on Saturday, December 19th. Gift cards were given so that families could spend the credit how ever they saw fit.

“There was one little boy who I heard needed sneakers, so I put a gift card to FootLocker in for his family,” Lorch said. “The families know how to spend this money on their needs better then we do.”

“They can buy whatever they want,” Gillis-Shain added. “If it’s diapers that they need, they can go out and get diapers.”

Many families were connected to their sponsor through word of mouth and, of course, Facebook. This was not the first time that members of these two Facebook groups have given back on the holidays: Last year, Gillis-Shain and Raimo rallied the Kensington Neighborhood Alumnae group and shipped 68 holiday care packages to troops stationed overseas. This year was, however, the first time that gifts were presented to families in person.

Sharon Reid was present at the Kensington Pub with family members Christine Reid and young Thomas Goodema, Jr. They were one of the families sponsored by Summerfield. As the family was presented with their gift cards and toys for their little boy, the smiles across their faces became infectious.

“Gary is a lifesaver, he really is,” Sharon said as Thomas was given a new toy train set. “We just didn’t really have the money this year, but he contacted us and really saved Christmas this year. This is really going to make [Thomas’] Christmas.”

Don Gould, President of the Olde Richmond Civic Association and a local business owner, took things one step further by taking the family he sponsored out shopping so they could get exactly what they needed this holiday season. The family, which Gould came into contact with through Hackett Elementary School, purchased necessities like winter jackets on their shopping spree.

“Today was good for our first time, it’s good,” Gould said. “There’s 24 kids that are going to have a good Christmas, eight families that are going to have a good Christmas. It’s good. And that’s what you’re supposed to do if you can — give back.

Next year, the two groups plan on starting the fundraising process around Halloween and create Amazon wishlists for families in need.

This gift drive was a throwback to the days were being a good neighbor was expected, when families always pitched in to help those in need.

“It’s all about paying it forward,” Summerfield said. “Anything I can do to help out the community, I’m there. I’m not wealthy, but I’m very fortunate. And this isn’t just my money, we raised these funds. I’m just the messenger, passing it along.”