NEWFIELD – The generosity of townspeople in this York County town has ensured a merry Christmas for a local woman and her children.

When Debbie Hill returned home from her teaching job at the local elementary school on Monday, she discovered somebody had broken in and stolen the Christmas presents under her tree – including those for her 8-year-old daughter.

Just over 24 hours later, firefighters and sheriff’s deputies came to her home with an envelope containing more than $1,000 in cash and donated presents for her children.

The money had been raised from residents who were generous enough to make sure Hill, her daughter and her 15-year-old son had a Christmas to celebrate.

Hill said she has been overwhelmed by the good will of her neighbors. Not long after the burglary was reported, people began knocking on her door.

“People started stopping by, asking ‘What can I do?”‘ she said. “They made my Christmas.”

Lt. Gary Fecteau of the York County Sheriff’s Department said some of the presents were found later scattered along two roads. He had no explanation – other than cruelty, perhaps – for why somebody would break into a home and steal presents, only to throw them out of a moving vehicle.

He said three teenagers from New Hampshire have been identified as suspects, but he doesn’t expect charges until next week.

Neighbors told Hill they saw the teenagers loading the gifts into a car, but didn’t think it was unusual, given that Christmas was just days away. Hill was at a loss because the thieves left behind other valuables in her home.