Santa’s sleigh floats into Lewes for Del. Natural Resources Police Toys For Tots campaign

LEWES, Del. – If you heard sleigh bells in Lewes Friday morning, Santa Claus was in town helping to support Delaware Natural Resources Police (DNRP) in its annual Toys For Tots drive.

And on this delivery, Santa’s sleigh floats. He pulled up, sack in hand, to a slip along the Broadkill River in a DNRP patrol boat around 10 a.m. The vessel was packed with gifts. And, Santa had plenty of merry greetings to share.

“We’ve been doing this for numerous years now, and it’s been great to be able to make sure that less fortunate families are receiving something for Christmas,” said Santa, also known as Andy Manning of the DNRP Environmental Crimes Unit.

Santa, along with the help of DNRP officers, loaded up a large, white trailer with boxes of donations. The gifts included stuffed animals, games, arts and crafts supplies, sleds and bikes. They were all bound for families who needed a little help brightening up their holiday.

“[The donations] just keep coming in, and particularly over the last week when the message went out that we were coming to an end [of donations on Dec. 12.] We were just getting boxloads of toys coming in,” said Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn Garvin.

Secretary Garvin said the annual effort has had a huge impact on local families.

“There are a lot of folks who, this time of year, don’t necessarily have the same resources. All of these toys are going to make kids very happy on Christmas Day,” Secretary Garvin said.

And, for all you kids out there, Santa had this advice in order to stay off of the Naughty List:

“Make sure you’re listening to your mom and dad and not fighting with your brothers and sisters,” Santa advised.