He’ll be back in town in a couple days, but earlier this month, Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped by the Hillsborough Police Department to help the police give back to kids in need.

Santa and Mrs. Claus stop by the Hillsborough PD every year and give out toys. This year they stopped by on December 11 – and gave toys to 175 kids.

Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens was there. “I was walking down the street that day…and families were wrapped all the way around the police department,” he says.

Timeless Cruizers and Postal Connections provided donations, along with members of the public.

Hillsborough police do the toy drive every year as part of their commitment to community policing – and giving back in general. Mayor Stevens says he’s proud.

“This has been a good year for charitable work by our police department,” he says. “They did a lot of work earlier in the year to raise money for Special Olympics, they grew their beards for No-Shave November, every year they do this Santa visit, (and) they also support and do Christmas for a family…

“Our folks do a lot of good community work out there, they’re very engaged – and it’s just nice that they’re spending a lot of time too trying to raise funds for those who are a little bit less fortunate and need a helping hand.”

Hillsborough Police were not the only ones giving away toys in Hillsborough this month: Orange County’s Department of Social Services helped more than 5,000 parents find toys for their kids as part of their annual Toy Chest.