AUGUSTA, Ga. - An Augusta family is trying to stay positive tonight after a real life Grinch steals their Christmas.

The Brigham family had all their shopping done, and they were just waiting anxiously for December 25th. But, Friday someone kicked in their door and threatened to take some of the joy of Christmas away.

“The first place I looked was under the Christmas tree and I noticed all of the things we bought the kids. They were gone,” Wochelle Brigham said.

She returned to her South Augusta home Friday afternoon after taking cupcakes to a Christmas party at her son's school.

“I was gone roughly 30 minutes,” Brigham said.

That was just enough time for a burglar to kick in her door and take off with all of her family's gifts.

“Shoes, clothes, electronics and everything and it's all gone,” Brigham said.

She says she and her husband worked hard to buy the gifts and can't afford to replace them.

“We struggled to buy the ones that we had,” Brigham said.

Now she is dreading telling her three children the news especially her 11 year old son.

“He's going to be devastated,” Brigham said.

She says she can not understand why the burglar chose to steal her family's gifts instead of other more expensive items in the home.

“I mean why wouldn't you take that I would rather you steal from me versus the kids,” Brigham said.

Now she is reaching out to the community for a little help in replacing the gifts and says this is not a holiday scam.

“I know some people feel that people scheme during the holidays but I have receipts to prove that I actually went out and purchased stuff for these kids,” Brigham said.

Without the help she is afraid Christmas will be ruined for her family.

“The stuff that was under the tree I wish I could put it back,” Brigham said.

But Brigham's father, Robert Jennings, is less concerned about the gifts and more worried about his family's safety.

“It always makes you wonder are you safe at home?” Jennings said.

With his help Brigham is working on getting a security system installed and Jennings says he is sure that Christmas Day will still be just as merry.

“It's not about the gifts. It's about family support and we're here for them and they know. So it's going to be a good day regardless,” Jennings said.

The family is reaching out to the community for any help they can give in replacing the stolen Christmas items. If you'd like to donate, call (706) 306-2974.