A Middletown, Ohio mother of nine died of a heroin overdose, and police want to give her young children a better Christmas.Police were called to a house on Yankee Road on Wednesday and found Jimeta Sanders, 31, unresponsive on the kitchen floor.Authorities said she was shooting heroin with her “supposed ‘friends,’ who then in turn left her to die in front of her nine kids.”Police said the “friends” – described as two males -- then stole her money and left the home, telling the children they were leaving to buy a 2-liter of soda. Police believe they were a father-son duo. “The father had gray hair and gray facial hair with a red and black coat on,” police wrote on their Facebook page. “The son had on a brown jacket and was of thin build.”Authorities are actively searching for the pair. But the case has also inspired police to take action beyond working hours. They want to help the children’s father buy his nine children a Christmas to remember. “Their father is a hard worker, he has tried to make ends meet but it's a vicious cycle,” police wrote.“They don't have much, but nine kids at Christmas time, to lose their mother like that is just horrible,” Middletown police Chief Rodney said.Two veteran detectives have stepped up to help and are taking donations for the family. They said they will accept any donations. "We need clothing desperately, we need coats, blankets, food, a stove, a refrigerator, we even need ornaments for the Christmas tree we just took to them and -- of course – toys,” police wrote. The community responded immediately by bringing in food, clothing, cash and other items.Janeen Thompson, a Middletown resident, said she saw the story on Facebook and was immediately moved by it. She jumped into action and donated several bags of items.Police say they are overwhelmed by the response.“We reached out to the world. Middletown started and it went from there to ask for help for these kids. Man, the outpouring of support has been phenomenal,” Muterspaw said.The children range in age from 1 to 14. Their ages are 14 (girl), 13 (boy), 11 (boy), 10 (boy), 6 (boy), 5 (girl), 3 (girl), 2 (boy) and 1 (girl).Police ask that donations be brought to the Police Department, located at 1 Donham Plaza.People who want to make a monetary donation can do so at the Butler Heritage Federal Credit Union located at 660 N. University Blvd. under the account name "Kindness for Sanders Family."The checks can be made out the Middletown Police Department or the City of Middletown.