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"We've got all sorts of toys," Police Chief Martin Kahn said as officers began checking out more than $15,000 worth of gifts at a Paramus Toys R Us.
The officers needed "a trailer and a couple trucks" to haul away the presents after about two and a half hours of shopping, Kahn said. Bags weren't necessary, he said.
"We had a couple of special requests," the chief said. "We got some sick kids that we're specifically shopping for around town.
"Unfortunately there are a lot of kids who don't make it through the season."
On Tuesday, the officers were headed to the Walmart in North Bergen.
A day later, they'll join nearly four dozen police agencies and Army reservists from the Teaneck Armory who will converge on the Closter firehouse to amass and sort montains of toys for terminally ill, sick and needy area youngsters during the 28th annual drive.
SEE: Deadline Nears In Bergen PBA Toy Drive For Ill, Needy Youngsters
Fairview police, who joined the drive last year, were led again by Lt. John Pierotti of PBA Local 45.
"There are some big-ticket items that have been requested that some departments can't provide," said Donald Nicoletti, a retired Closter police sergeant who helped launch the drive in 1988.
Pierotti and his colleagues "have taken it and run with it," Nicoletti said.
Besides arranging dropoff points for toy collections, Pierotti collected nearly $35,000 from area businesses, Kahn said.
One of the businesses had a Christmas party during which everyone was asked to bring a gift, he said.
"They came in with a truckload of gifts for us today," the chief said.
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