Nearly a dozen Wilmington and New Castle County police officers, all members of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, set out around 2:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon to bring some holiday cheer to some of Delaware's most vulnerable families.
They loaded up the toys in the police van, most of them donated by the officers and area businesses.
The first stop was to the home of Monica Avila in Wilmington.
Her 8-yr-old daughter and 5 year old son were still at school, so 3-year-old Anthony had Santa all to himself. A reach into Santa's bag turned up a Batman Hovercraft.
"It means a lot especially on the holiday," said Monica Avila. "Thank you to everybody."
Thursday's holiday delivery is especially meaningful to Anthony's mother who has recently been the victim of crime.
"It's just so nice that they feel the community is out here, not only to help them through the criminal process, but to help them during the holidays," said Carmen Mendez.
Anthony's older brother will find a new bicycle when he comes home, much to Anthony's delight!
Captain Victor Ayala has been making holiday deliveries in the community for 11 years, and says it is wonderful, when families can see the cops doing something other than making arrests in the neighborhood.
"A lot of times the community doesn't see us in that light, so anytime we can show something positive, everybody wins," said Captain Ayala.
The officers have at least 8 more families to visit Thursday night, and will deliver three big boxes of toys to the Wilmington Fire Department on Friday, who will deliver them to the Ronald McDonald House at the A.I. DuPont Hospital in Wilmington.
