Birmingham police officers, perched atop a massive sleigh, tossed toys to kids in some of the city’s public housing communities Thursday in an early Christmas surprise.

Dozens of kids rushed the sleigh in hopes of getting a gift of their own, but at Elyton Village on the westside of town, one boy no more than 8 years old hung back, seemingly frightened by the heavy police presence, even though they all had on red Santa hats.

“We came across one kid who was afraid to come to us,’’ said Birmingham police Deputy Chief Darnell Davenport.

Davenport got off the sleigh and handed the boy a bike. “At first he looked at it like he didn’t know what to do with it,’’ Davenport said. “As we started to pull out, I looked back and guess who was riding his brand-new bicycle?”

The boy’s mother called the department a short time later and said her son had been afraid of the police, but not anymore. She thanked them.

“That’s what it’s about,’’ Davenport said. “Hopefully that will change our interaction with that kid for the rest of his life.”

The police department, 98.7 Kiss FM, the Birmingham Housing Authorities and others teamed up to make the surprise happen. Kiss FM’s Kiss Kares Toy Drive began in November and for weeks they have been collecting new toys and coats at Walmart stores through the city and beyond. The sleigh was built by Huffman High School students - “by kids for kids,” Davenport said.

On Thursday, hundreds of toys were loaded onto the sleigh – made just for this occasion – with Kiss FM Program Director Darryl Johnson front and center in his Santa suit. “This is the fruits of our labor right here,’’ Johnson said. “Hopefully we put smiles on their faces. It’s a surprise – that’s the beauty of it.”

The caravan traveled through Tom Brown Village, Kingston and Elyton. With a motor scout escort and Christmas music blaring from the sleigh, there was no way to miss the group when they made their entrance. Kids and parents ran out of their apartments, some chasing the sleigh for blocks.

“It’s different when you show up in a community unexpected,’’ Davenport said. “People were blowing their horns and waiting for us. Once they were able to process what was going, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive.”

Alexis Johnson’s six children – three boys and three girls – each received a gift. “It’s a blessing,’’ Johnson said.

Davenport said the operation was an excellent way to connect police with the communities they serve.

“We have to have good relationships with people so that they will help us when we need them to,’’ he said. “This shows us in a different light.”