Holiday time can be the most painful for single parents.

Laidi Ramirez, 28, of Huntington, knows the pressures all too well. The single mom from El Salvador works as a cashier at an area fast food joint to scratch out a living for her two young children.

When her husband was deported a year ago, her American dream grew a little more bleak. Providing a memorable Christmas for her 8-year-old son and daughter, 4? That seemed about as distant as the father of her children.

“My husband got deported,” Ramirez said in English. “My boy understands the situation. He says, ‘Mommy, give me love. That’s what I want.’ Being a single mom with two kids is hard.” 

There will be a Christmas in the Ramirez household after all. The fearless mother was one in a steady stream of anxious and excited parents who walked through the doors of the East Northport Salvation Army on Wednesday.

The organization made good on its annual holiday drive, called the Angel Tree Program.

This year’s drive drew applications from more needy families than the Salvation Army could accommodate. Salvation Army Captain Lolita Sanchez capped its program at 314 families – up to 700 children – many from nearby Huntington Station.

Families lined up to get garbage bags full of goods from generous donors. The smiles and electricity were palpable. Ramirez was among the first in line.

“Right now I’m not in a good situation with money,” Ramirez admitted. “These gifts are going to help my kids a lot. They’re waiting for Santa. They are going to be happy today.”

Participants in Angel Tree can make a general donation, purchase gifts for a child the organization pairs them with or splurge on an entire family.  

Needy families apply to be considered. Sanchez said their income is considered and birth certificates for children are a must. Families can even make a wish for a specific toy – with a value up to $50. 

“I try to make sure the bag is balanced so each child gets something equal to what another child receives,” Sanchez said. “We try to give them at least two toys, an article of clothing, stocking stuffers – all of that.”

Judging from the mix of relief and thanks that registered on the faces of parents who received their Santa-like bag of goods, it really is the thought that counts. 

Volunteer Darlene Santiago and her husband, Anthony, helped pack a basketball gym filled to the rafters with bags tagged for specific families. She was on hand Wednesday to distribute them too. 

“It’s an awesome feeling to give back to families in need,” Santiago said. “This is like our family.” 

When you hear the hard-luck cases, and they are as common as a Barbie doll, it’s impossible not to feel the urge to spring into action right away.

“One woman came in – recently widowed with four boys – I made sure we adopted her family out,” said Sanchez, who oversees the program locally. “Those kind of stories make all the hard work worth it.”

It’s been a communal labor of love. The Commack and Glenn girls basketball teams stopped in last week to help sort goods and pack bags. 

The Leonicks, of East Northport, have been volunteering at the Salvation Army going back a decade. The family of five not only sponsored children, they helped organize a greater community effort.

Lisa Leonick said the family collected toys for the drive from Cub Scout Pack 238 (Fifth Ave. Elementary, East Northport). 

“I feel sad people are struggling,” Leonick said. “But when you open these doors and you see this room with all the presents, it really does warm your heart.”

Each bag – 314 in all – represents a family that will have a merry Christmas. Each bag carries with it the collective good will of Long Islanders recognizing a need and filling it.

Those bags are full. Just ask Laidi Ramirez and her two young children.