The holidays were happier for nine South End families, thanks to the Rotary Club of South Whidbey and John L. Scott Real Estate in Freeland.

The Rotary club, with the help of Goose Community Grocer in Bayview, raised money to buy gifts and clothing for eight families, said Jonathan Sage, a Rotary member.

He said the effort was organized by eight Rotary past presidents, who each headed up an organizing committee.

“They pooled their resources to make it work for the families being sponsored,” Sage said.

“It was a positive, warm experience for everyone involved.”

Meanwhile, in a separate fundraiser, employees of John L. Scott Real Estate, coordinated by branch manager MaryAnn Detroit, raised money for two new bicycles for the two young sons of a Clinton single mother, Sage said.

The group also assembled a gift basket for the family, and threw in $200 in cash.

“They touched the lives of a special family who was in dire need of an extra hand this holiday season,” Sage said.