Toy drive brings lots of gifts for CHOP patients

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Deptford Township Police Department brought more than 600 gifts to patients at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

"It's awesome, it's great, I'm glad to be a part of it," said Deptford resident, Elana Nucera.

The donations continued all the way up until the last minute with lots of presents pouring in and filling up fire trucks and police cars with a little something special for children who are in the most need for something to smile about.

Melissa Jones of Deptford said, "Not many people have a lot during this holiday season and we just need to give during this holiday season."

With medical bills piling up, many families with children at CHOP may be struggling to make ends meet this Christmas.

FOP President, John Gillespie said, "They are stuck in the hospitals and it is a nice thing we get to do as an organization."

These families spent Saturday giving up part of their Christmas to give something back to those in need.

"We want to bring as much joy and happiness to them as possible," said Melissa.

Elana says, "It's special. It will make them feel good hopefully."

Some of these kids at CHOP won't be home for Christmas, so today the Deptford police and fire departments brought Christmas to them.

As a fire truck and police cars pulled up, they rolled in 6 bins full of hundreds and hundreds of toys.

Officer Bob Jones added, "We love these kids. Obviously we are public servants and this is what it is all about. We love what we do."

His daughter was hospitalized here when she was 10-months-old, and today his kids got in on the gift of giving back.

"I'm giving the toys to the people who are sick," said Danica Jones.

Officer Jones' son, Turtle said, "We've got to donate to the kids...so they have toys because some people don't have toys."

This is the 8th year the Deptford Township Police Department has organized a toy drive and each year they say it gets bigger with the support from businesses in town and members of the community, who are opening up their hearts and their wallets to bring a little joy to some very deserving little patients.

Officer Anthony Nucera says, "It's just nice to see that the community comes together and helps us to bring toys to the kids."