Officers from the Boston Police Department's District E-13 sprang into the holiday spirit with their 22nd Annual Polar Express Christmas Event this year. The celebration took place in Jamaica Plain.

According to the official BPD website, over 500 toys were distributed during the event. Kids got the chance to meet Santa and his elves and unwrap a present personally selected for them. Referrals of families in need came from various community outposts, including local churches and schools, as well as from the proactive outreach by the E-13 Community Service Officers themselves throughout the year.

The initiative was a collaborative effort, buoyed by the generosity of community partners, PAL, and not least, the E-13 officers and civilians who took it upon themselves to "adopt" a child and ensure they had a present to open on Christmas.