HERNANDO, Miss — Decorated daytime television host Jennifer Hudson spread some holiday cheer to the Mid-South on Day 2 of her Holiday Giveaway.
In what has become her signature surprise sneak attacks on unsuspecting viewers, Hudson deployed a team of elves from Hollywood, where her show is shot Monday through Friday, to Hernando, Mississippi.
ABC24 Memphis caught the moment on camera, when Amanda Perry answered a knock on her door and through the wonder of technology heard Hudson's voice backed by the applause of her live studio audience.
Perry, a health care worker, is the mother of two grown children, but she opened her small humble home with one shower to six young kids, all now between the ages of 4 and 12.
It's how this family came together that captured the attention of Hudson's producers.
Perry gained guardianship of her step sister's five boys and one girl nearly four years ago.
Tia, Tramaine, Travell, Travis, Trayvon, and Terrell were about to be separated and placed into four separate foster homes.
Without thinking twice, she took all six children into her home.
"I woke up the next morning and said, 'What did I do,'" Perry said. "Yeah, I didn't even think about it. I just got the call and went and got them. So, yeah. Faith is what I've been walking by."
It wasn't long before a Hernando social media site noticed the woman about town with six kids dressed alike, a tactic Perry admits helps her keep up with the kids.
"The people from Hernando Happenings contacted me and were like, 'Let's make a post twice a year or once a year, people just bringing you toiletries, if that's all you're asking for,'" said Perry.
After that first post, Perry said the donations came rolling in and flooded her living room.
Without the community and her family, Perry said there is no way she could provide a comfortable home for her new family. Legal adoption is in process for the children.
This Christmas will be a memorable one for the Perry family, as they enjoy gifts brought by Hudson's elves and have the comfort of knowing they are together under one roof.