If "It's a Wonderful Life" were remade in 2017, it might look a little something like this.
What started out as a single Facebook post on Saturday has snowballed into a full-fledged fundraising campaign for a less fortunate family living in Yellowknife.
The post's author, city Coun. Steve Payne, urged online friends to give what they could – a few dollars, grocery or gift cards – to a family who had "fallen on hard times." Payne kicked off contributions by committing to a $100 donation, adding he'd pick up any items residents had to spare.
After a text from friend Mike Soloy alerted him to a family with two children struggling to get by, Payne told Yellowknifer he followed the lead of his "big hearted" pal by publishing the Facebook post and making a public plea.
Within minutes, the call to action was flooded with comments of support, donations – and more ideas.
One online commentator offered to fly a cooler full of wild meat to Yellowknife, with the freight it's due to arrive in being donated by Air North, according to Payne.
Soloy posted he had set up an account to receive and track e-transfer donations as they poured in. Another Facebook user, who said she didn't have spare change, instead gave up a $100 gift certificate to a local restaurant.
Other users who joined the chorus of commentators took a moment to applaud the holiday spirit on display.
"Mama is sitting at home with tears in her eyes. People can be so amazing! Good job Ykers!" one comment read.
Payne says the overwhelming support doesn't come as much of a surprise.
"This is our community, this is who we are. It's Yellowknife," he said, adding people of all walks of life have stepped up to make donations.
With offerings of turkeys, Christmas trees, cash, clothing, and more meat piling up by the hundreds in comment sections and inboxes alike, Payne said he's gathered far more than originally planned.
"As of now, it's no longer just the one family. I think we're actually looking at, hopefully, enough for four families," he said.
Once the turkeys have been eaten and the Christmas trees have been hauled to curbs, Payne says he has no plans on letting the Facebook-fuelled fundraiser slow down in the new year.
"If money and gift cards keep coming in, we'll find people who need it," said Payne, adding he's considering setting up online auctions for donations.
Payne, who has children himself, said the goodwill effort comes from a simple place – the desire to not just get, but to give during the holiday season.
The family at the centre of the community rally will be receiving the bulk of the donations later this week, Payne said.
Donations can be sent to soloys@outlook.com.