Susan Gilbreath’s gratitude will soon span a century.

She inherited it from her grandfather, Ken Abernathy, who was the recipient of Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund gift boxes back in the 1920s.

And Gilbreath’s urge to pay that long-ago kindness back is still palpable — and pallet-able — as she gathers dozens of family members and friends into delivery parties each year to bring hundreds of presents stacked up at the fund’s warehouse to needy children across the GTA.

In her eighth year of mass delivery now, the funeral director and mother of three clearly recalls her grandfather’s Star Santa Claus Fund stories — and the lessons he took from them — and passed to her.

One of eight children, Abernathy lived an impoverished existence as a child, in a family too proud to ask for help.

“But, obviously, the neighbours, he never did know who they were … recommended the Star Box come to him,” she says.

“There were hats and scarves, mitts and he would remember some sort of toy and an orange. And he said if he didn’t have those mitts, he’d have nothing.”

Gilbreath says her grandfather played an instrumental role in bringing her up.

“He raised me with my mother. And, with my children, he was never too proud to tell them,” about the boxes, Gilbreath says.

“And … he instilled in us, that, no matter what you have, you be grateful for it, and there’s always something else to give to somebody else.”

Now in it’s 114th year, the fund hopes to raise $1.7 million this holiday season to help deliver 45,000 gift boxes to children all around Greater Toronto.

Gilbreath herself has not had it easy at times. Her mother died at age 41, and she was left to raise a brother and sister along with her own children.

“Now, we didn’t get the Star box. Luckily, we were OK to get by,” she says. “But I totally get it, coming from not much and then just scrimping by.”

Eight years ago, Gilbreath’s delivery crew included her brother, husband and children. Since then it has grown to include dozens of friends and family and six to eight cars worth of delivery-sled power.

For those who might be considering similar Christmas efforts, Gilbreath, 44, has this to say: “You’ve go to get out there. It’s a complete life-changer (especially) to people who think that this kind of poverty doesn’t exist in our society.

“It’s very rewarding, and it honestly makes you more grateful for what you have. Even if you don’t have much to give, it will change your life.”

One hundred per cent of donations go to the gift boxes. The Toronto Star covers all other costs. Donations are accepted until Christmas Eve, and every donor will receive a tax receipt in January.