Clarkstown police officers and town workers are helping bring some holiday joy to local children.

Members of the Clarkstown PBA have dropped off bundles of new toys to be distributed though People-to-People's Project Joy! The holiday toy donations continue a tradition in which PBA members have annually sought to help local families.

Although Clarkstown PBA only asked their members to contribute toys, the donations came pouring in from workers from many different departments in Clarkstown town government, according to PBA members.

The annual toy drive started many years ago to help children staying in local facilities for the homeless. But with facilities and programs changing over the years, the PBA directed its donations to Nanuet-based People To People, which is Rockland County's largest food pantry program.

People To People's Project Joy! provides donors with the opportunity to “adopt-a-family” for the holidays and purchase toys from children’s wish lists. Last year, nearly 600 families had gift-filled holidays as a result of donations form many individuals, groups, and corporations. This year, that number has risen to 900, according to People To People Executive Director Diane Serratore.

"There has been a tremendous outpouring of support," said Serratore. "We could not do this without the support of groups like the Clarkstown PBA, the Orangetown PBA and the Knights Of Pythias and many others. We can't do this alone."

Serratore said the Project Joy! gift distributions should be completed by Thursday. However, she said that anyone still wishing to make a donation to help families during the holidays can still do so. Serratore explained that her organization can still use store gift cards that can be given to older children, 14 and up.

And the new year, Serratore said People To People will be distributing new winter coats to local families. People to People provides monthly food packages to more than 1,000 Rockland County families.

For more information about Project Joy! and donations, contact Priscilla Dawes at 845-623-4900, ext. 213.