Two Massachusetts sisters got national attention on Monday morning’s episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan thanks to their heartwarming effort to make the holidays special for children in need.

Santa’s Porch in Hopedale has been making spirits bright for the past seven years, and LeeAnn and Laurie DePietropolo were blessed with the chance to share their efforts with the country on live television.

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How Santa’s Porch Began

Meg Rivett and Tracy Griffin Johnson have been volunteering at the Milford Food Pantry for 20 years and encouraged the DePietropolo sisters to join. Seven years ago, the sisters came on board and helped out in the toy room.

“We realized pretty quickly that we were going to run out of toys,” the sisters said in a statement. “There were not nearly enough toys for every child. We felt so badly turning away children and parents when the toys were gone.”

The sisters were prepared to personally buy more toys for the shelter but soon decided to ask the community for help.

“Wow, did our friends help,” they said.

The community continued to drop off presents at the sisters’ porch, and their efforts quickly became known as Santa’s Porch.

People bring presents to the porch and every week, the sisters bring those presents to the Milford Food Pantry to be given to families in need.

Santa’s Porch Gets the Spotlight on Kelly and Ryan

On Monday’s “Good News” segment, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest chatted with the DePietrolo sisters via Skype about their selfless mission.

“How many presents have you red-sleighed?” Seacrest asked.

The sisters said they gave away over 2,000 presents last year alone.

An incredible and heartwarming accomplishment from a tiny porch in Hopedale.

Kelly and Ryan were so moved by their story, they announced that the show’s partner, Netspend, would donate $5,000 to Santa’s Porch.

How You Can Help

Santa’s Porch will collect toy and monetary donations through Dec. 23. Monetary donations can be made online, and the money is used to buy locally at The Learning Express in Westboro and Franklin.

Watch the DePietrolo sisters share their story on Live with Kelly and Ryan:

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