Police department's Secret Santa drive delivers.

Byline: Ellie Oleson

AUBURN - The town's response to the Auburn Police Department's Secret Santa toy drive was overwhelming, according to police.

Police Department records clerk Stacy L. Fitzgerald, drive coordinator, said the collection started out slow, but an appeal in early December brought enough toys to meet the needs of every child on Santa's list and more.

"This community has been so supportive. We couldn't do it without our donors. We also couldn't have done it without the support of the chief, Andrew Sluckis, and all the officers who gave up their lunch room for the toys," Ms. Fitzgerald said.

Sgt. Jeffrey A. Lourie said special thanks go to former records clerk Jacqueline Beard, who coordinated the program from its inception by the Auburn Police Association in 1993 until her retirement this year.

"Thankfully Stacy and (Officer) Bryan Porcaro volunteered to keep the program going," Sgt. Lourie said.

He said a total of 43 families with 109 children were given toys, delivered to their homes by volunteer police and dispatchers on Dec. 22.

Sgt. Lourie also thanked Toys R Us Auburn store manager Beth Carrigan, who allowed police to shop after hours to meet the needs of local children.

"We're fortunate Auburn is such a caring community. One family donated $1,000," Sgt. Lourie said.

Some donated coats and clothing will be passed along to Auburn Youth and Family Services, and leftover toys and donations will be used to seed next year's Secret Santa toy drive.

Officer Porcaro, who delivered toys last year and this year, said, "We have some parents in the hospital. One mother is sick with cancer. Job loss is huge this year. People...