GREENSBORO - Staff members at the Greensboro Police Department are putting on their Santa hats to help gather gifts for families as part of their annual Operation Yuletide. The initiative adopts around 100 under-privileged families from across the community. 

Throughout the year, police often meet good people who are experiencing tough times.

"We get called in not necessarily at the best times, but it does give the opportunity for the officer to kind of bring in that human aspect and say, 'Ok, this family is struggling and needs some things,'" said Greensboro Police Department Officer Greg Kiser.

Things the police department can provide through Operation Yuletide.

"Operation Yuletide started in 2011 and even now what we are still trying to do is to commit to that very same ideal; which is adopt 100 families," said Delisha Council from the Greensboro Police Department’s Community Engagement Office.

This year the department is working to gather a wide range of gifts.  

"We are still needing toys for girls, toys for boys, and we've also got a lot of requests in this year for newborn Pampers,” said Council.

Council also said the program would not be possible without the help of the community.

"From the business partners that help us to the residents that donate and in addition to that members of the Greensboro Police volunteers."

This year there's a number of ways to give, or get involved.

"If you are out and shopping and you feel led to purchase a toy or household item we welcome those donations, but if you are unable to do that and you have time on your hands you can come out and help us wrap and package these gifts," said Council.  

Gifts that officers say keep on giving.

"It is something that helps springboard families for the coming year, and the coming years and it gives them the help they need to get over a very important hump in their lives," said Kiser.