With lights flashing, police cruisers pulled up beside the Walmart in Cranberry plaza and Target at Wareham Crossing. In minutes, the cruisers were filled… with Christmas gifts.

The Wareham Police Department held its fifth annual Stuff-A-Cruiser event on Saturday, Dec. 14. All of the toys went to the Dick Melloni Youth Foundation’s annual toy drive.

“Helping this organization is one the best things we do as a police department,” said Interim Police Chief Kevin Walsh.

Officers collected toys as people came out of Walmart and Target. The toys were placed in the trunk, backseat and passenger seat of the cruiser.

As the cruisers filled up, a pickup truck came by to collect the toys, and the stuffing restarted.

Toys ranged from bikes to Barbie dolls, and everything in between.

“We don’t care if it’s a one-inch toy or a bike,” Walsh said. “I see people I know who are struggling, and they’re still giving.”

“When you know them, it means more,” Walsh said.

“A lot of the people who donate are people that probably can’t afford it,” said officer Karl Baptiste. “But, they still find something they can afford and bring it out here.”

The officers withstood the cold to collect toys from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. It took just minutes to get the first toy, Baptiste said. "Someone came up, saw the sign, went in and came out with a toy."

Rich Melloni of the foundation was thankful for the department’s help.

“I’m humbled by this. It always amazes me when these people who protect and serve make time to help the community,” Melloni said. “They didn’t need to ask or anything. It’s a great example of community policing.”