MERCEDES--Mercedes police gave Christmas presents to a previously homeless Mercedes family.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS has been reporting on the Olvera family for months. They used to live in a park before moving into a home earlier this year. The father and husband, Santos Olvera, passed away from an illness right before Thanksgiving.

Santos' wife, Leticia, told CHANNEL 5 NEWS she was happy Mercedes police bought the children presents. She said the family misses Santos every day.

"He would say, there will be a day I won't be here...And we have to move forward," Leticia Olvera said.

The Mercedes Police Department chooses a less fortunate family every year to give presents to. Police chief Olga Maldonado said it was an easy choice this year to give to the Olvera family.