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Hundreds of people lined up in the frigid, sub-zero temperatures to help deliver toys for Santas Anonymous.

The first person in line, Dustin Koenig, has been the first person every year for the last few years. He brought his daughters Natalie, 8, and Samantha, 17, along to help on Saturday morning.

Here are the first few in line. It's very, very cold. These volunteers are troopers! #yeg pic.twitter.com/ygznPvQLom — Julia Wong (@JWongGlobalNews) December 17, 2016

Koenig arrived at the Santas Anonymous depot at 5 a.m. to snag the first spot in line.

“It’s just a tradition that we started. It just kept following along and it just continued until this day,” he said.

READ MORE: Donated truck helps Edmonton man continue charity deliveries despite losing job

This will be his 12th year taking part in delivery day for the organization.

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“It just is a great feeling. This is why we’re the city of champions. We volunteer. We help people in need every time,” he said. Tweet This

“It’s tough to get up in the morning but it’s all worth it in the end,” said his daughter Samantha.

WATCH: 630 CHED Santas Anonymous preparing presents for Edmonton kids

Koenig said the wait in the cold and the wait until the doors opened at 9:30 a.m. were worth it.

“To hand the presents over to the family and see the smiles on their faces, the tears – it’s just an overwhelming feeling of joy,” he said. Tweet This

Rebecca Ratcliffe was the second person in line, arriving with her husband at around 7 a.m.

“I’m a Kindergarten teacher with Edmonton Public Schools and I see some of my children have benefited from Santas Anonymous every year. I just know it’s such an important cause,” she said.

Ratcliffe said she has been lining up for delivery day for a long time – first as a child with her father and now with her husband.

“Really everybody in line is so happy and excited to be here and excited to do this,” she said. Tweet This

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“You knock on the door and you see the kids. They’re just so happy that you’re there and the families are so appreciative.”

We've seen families, groups of friends, even a bunch of sheriffs, all waiting for depot to open to help deliver @SantasAnonymous presents! pic.twitter.com/gQCcPu849W — Julia Wong (@JWongGlobalNews) December 17, 2016

As the morning passed, the dozens in line slowly turned into hundreds of people in line. There was a merry mood in the air despite the cold temperatures – with many people wearing Santa hats and elf hats, clutching warm drinks in their hands and pulling toboggans to help carry the presents to their cars.

Hundreds of ppl are ready, willing and waiting to grab those @SantasAnonymous packages and start delivering! #yeg pic.twitter.com/aevv6SA5q2 — Julia Wong (@JWongGlobalNews) December 17, 2016

Sean Ahronson and his son Koen, 9, arrived shortly after 7 a.m. and brought a lawn chair to help them pass the time.

Ahronson used to be a Santas Anonymous recipient as a child; he has been delivering presents as an adult as a way to give back.

READ MORE: Spirit of giving comes full circle for Santas Anonymous recipients

“It’s nice to help out. I’m in a position right now where I can help out. Who knows, maybe there’s a lot of people right now that aren’t. I may be one of those people in the future,” he said. Tweet This

His son Koen put it simply when he said he helps out because “it’s Christmas.”

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“My mom, she didn’t want to come because she said it was too cold. I want to come because my dad’s going. I want to give presents to the people who can’t buy,” he said. Tweet This

Inside the depot, hundreds of volunteers prepared to help out when the doors opened. They are responsible for taking the volunteer drivers to the appropriate section to pick up the presents and then carry them out to their cars.

Here is the view from inside the @SantasAnonymous depot! Volunteers ready to hand off presents. #yeg pic.twitter.com/7nhegRMosC — Julia Wong (@JWongGlobalNews) December 17, 2016

Lana Nordlund, the executive director of Santas Anonymous, said the sight of hundreds of volunteers warms her heart.

“That’s dedication. That’s Edmonton love – being outside, waiting in the elements. It’s overwhelming to know how dedicated people are to come out,” she said. Tweet This

This year, the organization will deliver presents to 25,000 children in the city who are in need and who otherwise may not have a present to open on Christmas morning.

Watch below: 630 CHED Santas Anonymous has a storied history in Edmonton, dating back more than 60 years. Here’s a closer look at what goes into running the charity year after year.

0:48 The history of 630 CHED Santas Anonymous in Edmonton The history of 630 CHED Santas Anonymous in Edmonton

There's a lot of energy and enthusiasm in this depot as the drivers pick up their packages of gifts. #yeg @SantasAnonymous pic.twitter.com/sCc8ErAwYy — Julia Wong (@JWongGlobalNews) December 17, 2016

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Delivery day for Santas Anonymous continues on Sunday. Volunteer drivers are asked to bring their drivers licence and proof of insurance to ensure they are eligible to deliver the gifts.

Wow #yeg! Thanks for your time and for spreading the #Christmas cheer! @SantasAnonymous delivery day about to get underway. pic.twitter.com/IgUFcWpjE8 — Julia Wong (@JWongGlobalNews) December 17, 2016

Watch below: Global News broadcast live on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016 from the Santas Anonymous depot.