Some New Jersey state troopers made it their duty to spread holiday cheer Friday by visiting sick children in the hospital.

Fifty-seven state police sergeants handed out gifts to the children at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune. Some of these children are dealing with chronic illnesses.

The troopers have been in leadership and community servant training for the past week. Friday was the last day of the training where they get to show off what they learned by meeting and interacting with the young patients.

“When troopers at this level are getting promoted to sergeant, they’ve been around. So it kind of brings you back to the beginning of why you became a trooper, which is really to go out and help people and build relationships with the community,” says Sgt. Jeff Flynn.

“It’s great because when you’re in the hospital…it’s nice to see different faces and really see that other people care,” says patient Katrina Orphanoudakis.

This is the third year that the state police have partnered with the hospital.