“Seeing the smiles on the parents’ faces,” is the best part of the day, according to Major Sheryl Hershey.

The Salvation Army distributed over 12,000 toys to the families that applied for Christmas Assistance, by providing proof of need in November.

Food boxes were also given away which contained the fixing for a Christmas dinner and a breakfast.

The program is made possible through the generosity of local residents and businesses, who either selected an Angel Tree tag to fulfill a child’s wish list or donated a new toy to the Toys for Tots program, which is run locally by the Williamsport Detachment 388 Marine Corp League.

The Salvation Army Captain Jacki Brewer grabs two bags of toys during the annual Christmas Assistance Distribution Day, Tuesday at the Salavation Army in Williamsport. KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The annual Christmas Assistance Distribution Day is the sole toy distribution center for children and families in need in Williamsport, South Williamsport, Loyalsock Township, Cogan Station, Montoursville, Muncy, Hughesville and Picture Rocks.