From school to firehouse, bank to Realtor’s office, people have been — yes — bustling all over South Whidbey for the past month or so in an outburst of generosity.

Islanders are known to be caring and thoughtful whenever there is a need, but at this holiday season especially, their bighearted spirit is joyfully evident.

Holiday shoppers at the Star Store will be helping their neighbors with uncovered medical expenses this year. Gene and Tamar Felton, owners of the store, will donate 1 percent of all sales on the dry-goods side of the store until Christmas to Friends of Friends Medical Support Fund.

Many businesses and organizations have collected gifts and donated funds to Good Cheer to help families in need. Students at every school have held food and toy drives for the food bank’s special holiday baskets, often vying in competition over whose numbers would be higher. All the banks on the Southend had “giving trees” bearing names of youngsters for whom presents could be bought.

South Whidbey Fire District 3 firefighters and emergency medical technicians collected $2,400 to make the Christmas season a little cheerier for five families in need.

The volunteer association raised the money to buy presents for every member of these families, a total of about 22 people.

“The district has done this for 17 years,” EMS Capt. Connie Shields said. The families were selected after gathering names from the schools, churches and Big Brother-Big Sister.

Shopping for the gifts was as much fun for the volunteers as the recipients will have on Christmas morning.

“We bought bicycles and tricycles — with helmets, of course — a doll house and video games. Mom and Dad will receive gift certificates,” Shields said.

Food for holiday dinners was also part of the gift.

“We have collected nonperishable food items to go into the pantry, too,” Shields said. “We didn’t want the families to have a wonderful holiday dinner and go hungry the next day,” Shields said.

Island County Fire District 3 volunteers have adopted families every Christmas for 17 years.

Shields credits local businesses, Casey’s Red Apple, Payless, Star Store, Wal-Mart and KMart with contributing gift certificates and discounts to the project.

“South Whidbey Rotary and our local firefighters really supported the project, too,” Shields said.

A friendly food bank collection rivalry among South Whidbey’s Realtors reached its culmination at their brunch meeting for installation of officers Friday. As Good Cheer judges scanned the boxes of goods brought to the meeting, some Realtors offered “bribes” of monetary contributions to sweeten the judging. Finally coming in first was Whidbey Pacific Realty, followed by Coldwell Banker Freeland in second and Dalton Realty in third place. A new, rotating trophy was presented, with Good Cheer board president Kay Stanley noting, “This is not from Good Cheer. It’s brand new!”

The volunteers at Good Cheer itself spent three days last week sorting through the toy donations and making up “Santa sacks” for delivery at Christmas.

“There were trucks, cars, skateboards, Sponge Bob, video games, computer accessories, Legos, Barbies, hot wheels — everything for kids infant to 17,” said Kathy McLaughlin, Good Cheer manager. “With cash donations, we also bought $300 in gift certificates to Joe’s Music, which we thought teens would most appreciate.”

Along with the gifts, of course, there was everything to make a holiday dinner: turkey, stuffing, onions, cranberries, potatoes, cake mixes for dessert.

This year, Good Cheer also set aside an evening after the store closed for kids in the families to do their own Christmas shopping.

“Our community has responded. Our community is meeting the needs of those Good Cheer serves,” said Rita Burns, food bank coordinator.

“South Whidbey has a huge heart,” Kay Stanley said.

Staff reporter Gayle Saran contributed to this story.