Boston— The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department wrapped up its annual toy drive Wednesday December 21 after collecting hundreds of toys throughout the past month. The toys are being donated to the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign, which distributes toys to children in need during the holiday season.

Both civilian staff and officers of the Department contributed to the toy drive, and even the current academy class, which is in training in Chelsea, participated.

“Toys for Tots is a tremendous program,” said Corporal Tony Chianca, who makes sure that training cadets get involved with the charity every year. “By participating in Toys for Tots the Department is helping a lot of children, and it brings us all together.”

This year, in addition to holding a toy drive, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department held a raffle at its holiday party with proceeds benefiting Toys for Tots. The department of Communications and External Affairs, which organized the raffle, reported raising a total of $530 for the charity. Deputy Abiezer Ayuso, Community Affairs Officer at the Sheriff’s Department, spent a Sunday afternoon at toy stores around Suffolk County, shopping for toys with the raffle proceeds. At the end of his shopping spree, Deputy Ayuso had four shopping carts filled with dolls, board games, and sports equipment, which Toys for Tots will distribute in time for Christmas.

Despite the crowds Deputy Ayuso had to face while shopping, he felt the experience was well worth it; “It made me feel like I was making a difference, giving some less fortunate kids something to open on Christmas.”

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