The Bristol County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit is stepping up to provide some holiday cheer to area kids in foster care.

On Dec. 11, the unit held a toy drive for the Justice Resources Institute, an area nonprofit which provides foster care and adoption opportunities for children in the community. 

This is the sixth year the unit has conducted the toy drive, Lt. Kenneth Almeida noted.

“It started off with a couple of bicycles and now we provide [gifts] for 80 kids,” he said. “It’s really taken off.” Almeida added that the annual toy drive is his favorite time of year, since it allows him to provide some holiday cheer to kids “who have nothing” as their families face tough times.

“We’re always happy to do this — it’s helping change someone’s life,” he said. “Those children shouldn’t have to suffer because their parents aren’t present or dealing with their own life issues.”

Officer Teddy Santos said what he especially likes about his unit’s yearly tradition is how it allows him to interact more with the community.

“You can see the positivity and live it live,” he said. 

Almeida noted that the K9 unit will typically donate 700 toys each year — with each foster kid getting around six or seven presents.

“Everybody deserves to have something for the holidays,” he said.

Throughout the foggy Saturday morning, cars stopped by to drop off gifts for kids of all ages.

Along with donations from generous families and area businesses, all nine members of the K9 unit will also use their personal money to provide Christmas presents.

Capt. Paul Douglas added that Sheriff Thomas Hodgson also gets in on the action.

“He’s all about helping kids in the community,” he said.