It is the kind of story that reads like it came straight from a Christmas book. The actions of a few individuals lacking Christmas spirit comes close to ruining the holiday for an entire town.

But, thanks to the hard work of a handful of dedicated volunteers and the generous spirit of the whole community, Christmas is saved.

This isn’t a fairy tale or the next Disney holiday film. That is essentially what happened in 2010 when thieves damaged the Christmas lights that the Coal Grove Betterment Club use to illuminate Paul Porter Park every year and spread holiday cheer.

For a small civic organizations like the Betterment Club, the several thousand dollars in damages could’ve been seen as insurmountable.

The organization wondered if it was going to have to cancel the holiday tradition of lighting up the park and welcoming thousands of visitors to the village.

But the community rallied. Friends and neighbors and others from across the Tri-State lent a hand so the tradition could continue, perhaps better than ever.

Now, the organization is again looking toward Christmas and trying to recoup some of the money it had to spend for a security system to protect this community investment.

The club will have a spaghetti dinner at the Jae Roush building from 4 to 7 p.m. on October 21. The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Take out orders are available.

Diners will get a get a meal, but perhaps a good feeling in that they’re helping keep Christmas celebrations and other projects alive in the Village of Coal Grove.