BUFFALO, N.Y. — There is nothing quite like the joy children experience during the holiday season.
However, this year the Jacobsen family didn't think they were going to have a Christmas. The family has 10 children, some of which are fosters.The youngest is an infant, and the oldest is 18 years old.
Last month they lost everything they own when their home on Woodside Avenue in South Buffalo went up in flames.
"Not knowing what was going to happen, where we were going to be, how life was going to go back to normal in any way, it was just very overwhelming," mother Alicia Jacobsen said.
Each year the Erie County District Attorney's Office works with the Buffalo Police Department to raise money for Holiday Shop with a Cop, an event that helps children in Buffalo whose families are in need during the holidays.
This year more than $6,500 was raised for the event, so they decided to help the Jacobsen family too.
"Tonight is all about the Jacobsen family, to try to help them get back on their feet, and more importantly to do what we're all going to do, and that is enjoy Christmas," District Attorney John Flynn said.
Each kid was given $400 to spend at Target for whatever they needed or wanted this holiday season.
"It's nice to just be able to celebrate the holidays and just be together as a family," Anthony Jacobsen said.