Santa’s helpers at the Broward Sheriff’s Office distributed nearly 2,000 toys Saturday at the agency’s annual holiday toy giveaway. Each child received a toy from among a room stacked full of bicycles, basketballs, building blocks, games, electronics, dolls and toys for girls and boys of every age.
The event was by invitation only. BSO’s school resource deputies picked hundreds of families based on the needs of the children they have met in Broward County’s elementary, middle and high schools.
Santa Claus arrived at the Public Safety Building around 9:45 a.m. on a Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue truck to kick off the giveaway. Donations from individuals, businesses and various organizations helped pay for the brand new toys. The Florida Marlins organizations gave $5,000, and Wal-Mart in Lauderdale Lakes donated about $1,000 worth of merchandise. Businesses such as Enterprise Leasing and Xtreme Indoor Karting put bins out for toy collections.
Anthony Bingham, son of former BSO Lieutenant Charles Bingham, who died in 2000 after a 31-year-career, will continue his father’s tradition of playing the role of Santa.
