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South Florida Mother Gets Some Holiday Help

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A South Florida mother, struggling to make ends meet after taking in three foster children, got her wish come true.

Thanks to Walmart, her five children now have brand-new bikes and CBS4 was there for the surprise.

The children, ages 6 to 14, thought that they were going to the Florida City Walmart to run some errands, but little did they know that they would leave the store with the bikes they wanted for Christmas.

"She's been trying very hard to make this Christmas be the best for us and I'm just happy that you guys got us bikes for us," said Chaney, 13, who's spending her first Christmas with her foster family.

Emeline Kumpitsch, who has two kids of her own, started fostering Chaney and her two brothers this past summer. This Christmas, she wanted to make sure all of her kids had a nice holiday. Monday, CBS4 caught up with Emiline, who said because of her financial struggles raising five kids ranging from 6 to 14, she could not come up with the money for the bikes they wanted for Christmas.

"I've just been racking my brain for the last two weeks hoping and praying," said Kumptisch, crying.

Her tears of sadness are now tears of joy thanks to the store who heard about the kids' wish and set up a surprise.

"We hear about your story and we're here to help you and we're going to make your kids wish come true," said store manager Willy Santizo to Kumpitsch and her children.

"This is what I really, really wanted," said Karissa, 6, when an employee presented her with her bike.

"Seeing their smile, it kind of reminds me on the 25th when I see my kids, that smile when they receive something they really wanted, so it feels really good," said Santizo.

Friday cannot get here soon enough because that's when the kids go on winter break and they plan on enjoying their bikes and riding them all day long.

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