Toms River Police Deliver Christmas Magic To Hospitalized Kids

TOMS RIVER, NJ -- The Toms River Police Department took some time to deliver a little Christmas cheer this week.

Police Deputy Kris Kringle, aka Santa Claus, visited Children’s Specialized Hospital in Toms River to see some extraordinary children for the holiday, said Ralph Stocco, the department spokesman.

Officer PJ Gambardella dressed in his Santa suit and was accompanied by a dozen officers and their families as they delivered toys to children who were at the hospital, Stocco said.

Some of the children were only day patients, but many live there for extended periods of time during their lengthy treatments and rehabilitations. Some of the children will be spending Christmas in the hospital away from their homes and families, he said.

The officers volunteered their time and handed out toys that were donated by members of the Toms River Police Department’s Police Benevolent Association and Fraternal Order of Police unions.

(PHOTOS: Brandon Delsannoage 7, of Whiting, with the green toy, and Wyatt Wohlrab, 10, of Brick, get a little time with Police Deputy Kris Kringle, also known as Officer GJ Gambardella. Courtesy Toms RIver Police Department)