Christmas came early Tuesday morning at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, with some very deserving kids getting presents from folks dressed not in red and white, but rather, blue and gray.
For the twentieth year, Connecticut State Police troopers played Santa for patients, their sleigh a gurney filled with toys collected over the past week at Toys R Us stores in Newington, Manchester, and West Hartford.
"We stand out in the cold, the rain, the sunshine, whatever it is, at the toy stores and it's just thousands of people coming in and out," said Trooper First Class James Nolting.
Some toys were handed out today. Most will be given to kids who come to the emergency room. "To be able to provide them with a gift and our support and let them know that we're here for them, it's just a good thing overall," said Nolting.
Over the years, this program has collected a half a million toys and $280,000, thanks to sponsors and the public.
