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Santa Would Blush: Bergen PBA Toy Drive Hums With Teamwork, Smiles, Blessings (Photos, Video)

“We filled three military trucks,” police veteran Don Nicoletti said Wednesday afternoon as officers, National Guard members and others continued piling immense bags of presents into vehicles at the Closter firehouse.

The Closter firehouse was filled with toys -- some nearly as big as the volunteers.

The Closter firehouse was filled with toys -- some nearly as big as the volunteers.

Photo Credit: MAIN PHOTO: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR / INSET: Jerry DeMarco

Delivery time!

Photo Credit: Courtesy: FAIR LAWN PBA LOCAL 167
Closter Police Officer Luis Ruiz was back as Santa -- here with the New York Metropolitans' mascot, Mr. Met.

Closter Police Officer Luis Ruiz was back as Santa -- here with the New York Metropolitans' mascot, Mr. Met.

Photo Credit: Jerry DeMarco
Back again: The Paramus Police Motorcycle Unit, with red-nosed guides.

Back again: The Paramus Police Motorcycle Unit, with red-nosed guides.

Photo Credit: Jerry DeMarco
Officers from 53 agencies gave terminally ill, ailing and disadvantaged children reason to smile.

Officers from 53 agencies gave terminally ill, ailing and disadvantaged children reason to smile.

Photo Credit: Courtesy: BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
Lodi police with Vince "Johnny Sack" Curatola (center).

Lodi police with Vince "Johnny Sack" Curatola (center).

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Soldiers from the U.S. Army National Guard in Teaneck load truck.

Soldiers from the U.S. Army National Guard in Teaneck load truck.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Dan DiMiglio of Callahan's has become one of the reliable vendors at the annual event.

Dan DiMiglio of Callahan's has become one of the reliable vendors at the annual event.

Photo Credit: Jerry DeMarco
Paramus police and Mr. Met.

Paramus police and Mr. Met.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Santa & Company.

Santa & Company.

Photo Credit: Jerry DeMarco
Local and county officers teamed up to collect and deliver the presents.

Local and county officers teamed up to collect and deliver the presents.

Photo Credit: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
Volunteers couldn't help but smile.

Volunteers couldn't help but smile.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Robert Tormo
Nicoletti (center left) with officers of all stripes.

Nicoletti (center left) with officers of all stripes.

Photo Credit: Jerry DeMarco
Fair Lawn PBA President Luis Vazquez with retired New York Giant wide receiver Stephen Baker, "The Touchdown Maker."

Fair Lawn PBA President Luis Vazquez with retired New York Giant wide receiver Stephen Baker, "The Touchdown Maker."

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Fair Lawn PBA
Gifts delivered, youngsters overjoyed at the Sanzari Children's Hospital at HUMC.

Gifts delivered, youngsters overjoyed at the Sanzari Children's Hospital at HUMC.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Haworth PD
New Jersey State PBA President Marc Kovar and Don Nicoletti

New Jersey State PBA President Marc Kovar and Don Nicoletti

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
No such thing as too much fun.

No such thing as too much fun.

Photo Credit: Jerry DeMarco
Troupers, all.

Troupers, all.

Photo Credit: Jerry DeMarco

The 30th annual Bergen County PBA Toy Drive, helmed by Nicoletti, not only set a record for the number of law enforcement agencies involved – a whopping 53.

It may also have been the most efficient transfer ever of toys, board games electronics and more all brought to the firehouse, sorted, bagged and taken to hospitals and other locations for terminally ill, ailing and needy youngsters and their families.

“Some people have been doing it long enough that they know exactly what to do,” Nicoletti said before heading to the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center.

CLICK ON THE VIDEO ABOVE TO SEE THEM AT THE HOSPITAL

“Some of us are fortunate to have that one Christmas or special holiday that we will always remember, that moment when we received the gift we wanted,” the retired Closter police sergeant and school resource officer in Lodi said earlier. “That's what we want to create -- that special memory that will bring joy, even for just a moment.”

Police officers of all stripes and their families mixed with military personnel from the U.S. Army’s National Guard Armory in Teaneck, as well as actor Vincent Curatola (who portrayed Johnny Sack on “The Sopranos”) and Super Bowl-winning retired Giants wide receiver Stephen Baker, “The Touchdown Maker.”

Food vendors also participated in one of the largest and most popular missions of mercy in the Northeast.

Several members of the Santa Response Team (SRT) had done it before – among them, retired officers who continue to return to the annual drive.

"They're making something really nice for less fortunate kids," New Jersey State PBA President Marc Kovar said.

Nicoletti rallied a few colleagues in 1988 to help fill a little red pickup with toys to bring to children with cancer and other critical illnesses at HUMC.

"We were just so proud to have filled that truck," he said with a smile.

This year, a fleet of vehicles was needed – not just to hit the hospitals but to head to other destinations, including local organizations and families dealing with tragedy, loss and need.

Nicoletti kept things moving while also huddling with countless officers and others who brought donated gift cards along with toys.

“Our goal is to be able to relieve a little bit of the stress due to medical or financial hardship that a family may have,” the proud veteran said.

At the same time, Rochelle Park Police Lt. Glenn Brunet said, "we all feel happy knowing these kids will feel joy and cheer."

PHOTOS: BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR, FAIR LAWN PBA LOCAL #67, ROBERT TORMO, HAWORTH PD, Cecilia Levine & Jerry DeMarco.

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