12 Stories of Holiday Spirit this Season

Patch has community sites across Georgia. For the holiday, here are a few stories showing the holiday spirit from our Georgia patch sites, and a few more from across our Patch network.

Deputy's Christmas Gift Is Feeding Kids, Inspiring Others

Gwinnett County Deputy Cpl. Matt Stoner and his family decided they didn't need any gifts for Christmas this year. Stoner and his wife, Gabriela, quietly paid off every delinquent meal account at Central Gwinnett High School. The gift means that every student at the school — there had been about 150 delinquencies — will have access to a school lunch when they return in January from holiday break. >>> Read more.

5 Atlanta Rappers With the Christmas Spirit

Rappers make great Christmas wrappers. Metro Atlanta children have been especially gifted this year as several of the area's top rap acts have joined in the holiday spirit by making appearances and doing good in the community. >>> Read more.

Marietta Children Get to 'Shop With a Cop'

• Police force shows the holiday spirit by giving back to the community's needy.

Fresh & Furry Delivery: Cobb ER Patients Get Stuffed Animals

• Austell pet store initiative helps to calm the nerves of children and seniors at Wellstar Cobb Hospital.

Forsyth Deputy Plays Santa For Needy Kids

• Deputy Brandon Lin has made an annual tradition of raising money and buying gifts for kids he knows need help.

More stories with the holiday spirit:

'O Holy Night' Fills D.C. Metro Station with Holiday Cheer

A woman decided the Union Station Metro needed a little bit of holiday cheer while waiting for a train earlier this month, and so she decided to just start singing the holiday classic, "O Holy Night" for riders. When video of the performance made its way online, the response was huge. >>> Read more.

$1K 'Tip Bomb' is a Perfect Holiday Surprise for Virginia Waiter

The tip bombers have struck again, extending their streak of surprising a random, unsuspecting waiter or waitress with a ginormous tip during the holiday season to 13 years. The latest bombshell from the anonymous group of diners happened at a sports bar in Reston, Va. Mervin Macklin was the waiter during the lunch rush. His tip? $1,041. >>> Read more.

Watch: Epic Christmas Gift Given To Football Team’s ‘No. 1 Fan’

Andrew Hayne is the Wiregrass Ranch High School Bulls’ biggest fan in Land 'O Lakes, Florida. He now has his own helmet to prove it. That helmet, signed by every member of the team, was presented by quarterback Chris Faddoul. Andrew “is obsessed with the Wiregrass football team,” said Chris, who turned 18 himself on Christmas Eve. “He would sometimes come in the locker room and give the team a pep talk before the game. So, we wanted to do something nice for him, especially since he never got a chance to get on the field." >>> Watch the video.

Mom's Purse Stolen? Detective 'Elf on the Shelf' is on the Case

• Virginia police officer gets special help when a mother's purse goes missing — with Freddie the Elf inside.

Redskins Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan Brings Holiday Cheer to Hospitalized Children

• Ryan Kerrigan visited and brought holiday gifts to seriously ill children at Inova Children's Hospital on Monday, Dec. 12.

Police Double as Santas in Maryland: 77 Packages Returned to Victims of Porch Pirates

• Officers personally returned packages to 51 families affected by the Long Reach thefts, Howard County Police Chief Gary Gardner said.

WATCH: Nashville Predators' P.K. Subban's Christmas Surprise

• Nashville Predators defenseman takes kids on a Christmas sleigh ride with lots of surprises.

Photos provided, Instagram, video still