TROY, N.Y. — The Christmas holiday will be a bit brighter for a group of once-homeless veterans and community members in Troy: They'll be getting a catered Christmas dinner, a new computer and possibly another TV set.

It's all thanks to an anonymous donor, who dropped off a banker's check in the mailbox for the Dominick Pitaniello Veteran & Community House. The total: $1,750.

Pitaniello House co-founder Michael Cioffi was stunned when his residents called to tell him the news this week.

"It's just a great thing. You just don't expect it — and these guys can use whatever you can give 'em," Cioffi said.

Cioffi says despite some hard times running Pitaniello House, he considers the money as a gift to his residents, and all of it will be spent on their wants and needs for the holiday.