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DNREC police officers get in the gift-giving spirit

Hundreds of toys collected for Toys for Tots program will be distributed across the state
DNREC police and Secretary Shawn Garvin participate in a Toys for Tots gift-giving opportunity Dec. 12 with Santa (DNREC Police Capt. Josh Hudson), who is piloted to the dock at Indian River Marina by Cpl. Kyle Wharton. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Chris Flood
December 19, 2023

Story Location:
Delaware Seashore State Park office
39415 Inlet Road
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
United States

Just in time for Christmas, and with a little help from Santa Claus, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control police officers and Secretary Shawn Garvin donated hundreds of toys Dec. 12 to Toys for Tots.

Piloted by Cpl. Kyle Wharton, Santa Claus made his delivery to the Indian River Marina’s visitor dock. Garvin and half a dozen officers unloaded the toys from the boat, then placed them into trailers owned by DNREC police.

The toys were donated by the public and employees at DNREC offices and state parks. They will be distributed to children across the state whose parents or guardians are unable to brighten their holidays with gift giving.

The general consensus among the group was that this program has been happening since 2015.

Toys for Tots is a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The program was founded in 1947. According to its website, it has distributed 652 million toys to 291 million deserving children. For more information on how to participate, go to toysfortots.org.

 

DNREC police officers stand with just a few of the toys. Both trailers were nearly filled. Shown are (l-r) Cpl. Kyle Wharton, Cpl. Aaron Massey, Sgt. Oran White, Cpt. Josh Hudson as Santa, Park Patrolman Griffin Connley, Cpl. Nate Rust, Sgt. Rebecca Salmon, DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin, Officer Patrick Henry and Officer Zachary Gardoski.
DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin rolls a bike up the ramp from the floating dock.
Cpl. Aaron Massey, left, and Cpl. Nate Rust carry a box of toys, with Santa close behind making sure the presents find their way into the trailers.
Santa aka DNREC Police Capt. Josh Hudson gives a big wave as he and Cpl. Kyle Wharton carry the last box of toys up to the trailers.
DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin leads the way down the ramp to get the toys.

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