Continuing a tradition more than two decades strong, the City of Newark Police Department, in cooperation with Aetna, Hose, Hook & Ladder Fire Company of Newark and the United States Marine Corps Reserve, will once again deliver hundreds of toys to local children this holiday season. Together, they hope to collect more than 500 toys for deserving youth in the Newark area. 

"Our residents show their passion and support for one another year after year through acts of kindness like the Toys for Tots campaign," said acting city manager Tom Coleman. "We hope the generosity of others is once again realized to ensure more children in our neighborhoods can experience the joy of the season."  

Now through Thursday, December 14, residents and visitors are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped gifts for children up to 12 years of age. A donation barrel is located in the lobby of the Newark Municipal Building at 220 South Main Street.

The donated gifts will be sorted by age groups and wrapped by volunteers. On the evening of Wednesday, December 20th, Santa Claus and Newark police officers, aboard a fire truck from the Aetna, Hose, Hook & Ladder Company, will deliver the gifts to deserving children in several Newark neighborhoods.