More and more families are thinking of helping others during the holiday season. It is truly impressive and touching.

You hear about a family that has decided to give up or radically limit the presents they give one another and instead give to a needy family or an organization that helps needy families. Some people give more to places like food banks rather than give presents.

All of this giving meets a major need in our country. Obviously, there also are many places that provide international help, too.

But even with this changing effort in our country, I was really amazed with the generosity of our people in Sequim. The other day a man and woman with a young child came into a local car dealer to talk about their need for a car for him to go to work each day. He was currently walking from one end of town to the other and it wasn’t easy.

They were told by the dealer that their credit was OK but their income was too limited to purchase a car. The car salesman spent some time talking with the couple and was impressed with their story. He spoke to them about using a bicycle which seemed like a possibility but that would even be a stretch for them.

They gave the salesman their phone number in case he heard of a used bike he might use to get him to work.

The salesman — let’s call him Randy — was touched. He called a friend who had a couple of boys who might have an old bike he could give to the couple. The friend invited him over to see what he might have that would work. The friend and his two boys went down to the barn to take a look. Unfortunately, the bikes Randy’s friend had were way too small.

The one boy also was concerned about the couple. Even though he was only 15, the boy was moved. He said that Randy could take his bike for the couple. Randy was amazed. This wasn’t a typical teen or maybe it was. After trying to make sure it was OK with the boy and with his parents, Randy left with the bike in his truck.

Randy called the couple to make sure they were OK with receiving a donated used bike. They absolutely were. Randy said he would bring it over to them the next day.

In the meantime, Randy’s wife also was concerned about their baby. She and Randy also have a child about the same age. Randy’s wife began putting some clothes and toys together for the couple’s baby.

The next day, Randy took the gifts to the couple. They were delighted. When Randy gave them the clothes and toys for the baby, the woman was close to tears. She told Randy that these gifts they never imagined will make their Christmas.

They also made Christmas for Randy, his wife, his friend, his friend’s two boys, and his friend’s wife.

I wasn’t there and it made my Christmas.

Then two days later I received a phone call from a woman who said she wanted to donate homemade cookies to needy families. “Could I help?” she asked. I replied I would be delighted to give her cookies to needy families.

I am sure there are families who might like these cookies. Let me know if you know someone because she is bringing cookies this afternoon.

We live in a great town. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you. Remember, this isn’t just a Christmas story. This is an everyday story of a special place — Sequim.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. Reach Martin at pmf@olypen.com or at 681-2250.