One of the largest toy drives in New Jersey is bringing smiles to the faces of close to 5,000 children this season as nearly 12,000 toys were collected to be donated all across the state. 

The toy drive was held by the New Jersey State Policeman's Benevolent Association, and a group known as Embrella, which works with adoptive children and those placed in foster homes. 

 

Pat Colligan, of NJPBA, says the drive started 15 years ago, and continues to grow.

“It's probably the most fragile group out there. This started by a delegate years ago, got connected with the organization, and you see the operation 15 years later,” says Colligan.

Lynn Patmalnee, of Embrella, says the annual toy drive isn’t just about giving the kids gifts, but inspiring them.

"Many of our kids want to grow up to be police officers, interestingly enough, and it shows the kids there are people out there who care for them,” she says. “The kids in foster care feel very alone as you can imagine and it's a tremendous feeling for them to see this kind of support."

The toys were collected in a banquet hall inside the Pines Manor in Edison.

The toys will be sorted by age group and then shipped to all 21 counties in New Jersey.