If you heard sirens going off around Newark along with a 10-car motorcade Christmas morning, chances are it was for a good reason.

Santa Claus was coming to town.

Dozens of volunteers from various organizations teamed up with the Newark Police Department of Public Safety Community Outreach Unit, handing out more than 2,000 toys to children in hospitals, as well as across the city.

"I'm just paying it forward. This is just what I do," said volunteer Maria Ortiz. "On a personal level, I was in a woman's shelter not too long so I know how it feels to be down and out over the holidays."

The group visited Clara Mass Hospital, University Hospital and Beth Israel Hospital. Between hospital visits, the group also stopped to give out toys to children and their parents on the street.

This is the eighth year the department has conducted the toy drive, which only takes about 20 days to collect all the toys to give out according to Det. Joseph A. Bernal of the community outreach unit.

"It's all about bringing a smile to those in need," he said. "What better day than today?"

Just as Katie Hernandez and her son Benjamin were being discharged from the emergency room, they were surprised by the volunteers. Hernandez had spent the night in the emergency room after her son had an accident playing outside last night.

"I like it. To see all the characters it's exciting," Hernandez said. "For us coming to the emergency room, being in the hospital it can be scary so it kind of puts us at ease."

Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ladytiamoyo.

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