Bridgeport Public Schools teacher Rebecca Hasiotis has been looking forward all year to helping 100 local families have a Thanksgiving meal to remember - but the effort almost got canceled Tuesday morning when the donor who makes it possible every year suddenly pulled out.

"That to me was a kick in the gut," said Hasiotis.

But the proud mother of three children wasn't about to give up.

"I immediately posted on a private Facebook page called 'Moms of Fairfield', and people immediately started donating," Hasiotis said.

By Tuesday night, the effort had raised $20,000, which the Read Elementary School teacher began distributing to Bridgeport families via gift cards.

"It says so much about the amazing people in our community who stepped up to help," Hasiotis said.

"I will never forget this day," she said.