Groton — Martin and Kate French bought 30 turkeys, picked up eight bicycles, then took them and their two children to Groton Human Services on Friday morning and helped volunteers pass out food. That is their Christmas.

“This ultimately is about dignity,” Martin French said, as volunteers loaded food baskets into trunks and families carried bags of donated toys to their cars. Christmas music played in the background. “Look at everyone smiling. That’s the one thing you see, is nonstop smiling,” he said.

The human services office distributed 500 food baskets and toys for 560 children this year.

When Monsanto, which used to donate the bicycles, closed its Mystic office, volunteers weren’t sure what would happen. But other businesses and donors stepped in and gave 40 bikes. Toys R Us in Waterford also donated more than 10 carloads full of toys.

Jackie Bonneau, 56, waited in line in the crowded human services lobby. “This is a life-saver right here,” she said. “This is a blessing.” Bonneau tore her rotator cuff at work, had surgery two weeks ago and needs help until she can work again.

Her 14-year-old daughter will be happy with whatever she receives Christmas morning, Bonneau said. “I’m blessed with her. She doesn’t stress over what’s under the tree. She’s thankful for whatever she gets,” she said.

Ingrid Kelly, 68, waited nearby in the same line. “I can’t wait to go home and start cooking,” she said.

Families lined up before the doors opened at 9 a.m. Then they filled the lobby, and the line extended outside. Staff greeted families and looked through offices piled with red, green and blue trash bags stuffed with gifts.

Nikiah Perry, 14, volunteered with the Robert E. Fitch High School Business Society and loaded 10 bikes into cars before 10 a.m. Her favorite was a “Trolls” bike with matching helmet, including troll hair.

“It was pink,” she said. “The whole thing was pink. It was really cute.”

Inside, Joan Steinford, 85, arrived to volunteer. She brought brownies for the staff and a Santa hat. “We need to help others,” she said. “And this department is the answer to helping those who need us.”

Chyanne Pollard, 9, wore a sparkling headband, black and white dress, tights and patent leather shoes to work alongside her mother, the human services office assistant. “I got dressed up to help and look pretty while I was doing it,” she said.

Tammy Schlapfer, 40, waited in line with her 20-year-old son. She’s a single mother with four children. Two of the children are young; two are young adults. Her daughter also works full time while her older son watches the young children. “It’s an uphill battle, but we do it,” she said.

Sara Williams, 41, waited with her daughter. Her son was diagnosed with a medical condition this year and she had to stop working two months ago. It’s been hard on the family financially, but agencies are helping them. “We’re getting a lot of services, a lot of help,” she said.

Martin French said his family and children are lucky, and he wants them to know that. But more importantly, he wants them to be “decent human beings.”

“The best part is when you give a present, the smile that you get back from someone,” he said.

It’s also not about how much you give, he said. Early on Friday, a woman arrived at Groton Human Services, brought 10 cans of food and just quietly left them, French said, adding, “How awesome is that?”

d.straszheim@theday.com