KANNAPOLIS, N.C. -- The goodwill is carrying on in Kannapolis, as Jimmy Murphey's Christmas goes on for the first time without the community activist it's named after.

• Jimmy Murphey's Christmas is an annual tradition giving groceries and toys of thousands of families
• Murphey's mother started the Christmas tradition in 1932
• The event runs until 1 p.m. at the Living Water Church of God Fellowship in Kannapolis

Jimmy Murphey's Christmas is an annual tradition giving groceries and toys of thousands of families.

Volunteers say they are pitching in with a purpose, as they carry on the decades-old tradition after Murphey's death in April.

Murphey's mother started the Christmas tradition in 1932 and Jimmy carried on her tradition.

Organizers say there was no question the event must go on and that Mr. Murphey's spirit is still felt here.

The event runs until 1 p.m. at the Living Water Church of God Fellowship in Kannapolis.