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Santa arrives by boat to present Toys for Tots delivery

11th annual event supports families across Delaware during the holidays
With a boatload of toys donated by Delaware families, Santa arrives at the Indian River Marina Dec. 12 as part of the annual Delaware Natural Resources Police Toys for Tots delivery. PHOTO COURTESY OF DNREC
Grace Hoffman
December 21, 2025

Delaware Natural Resources Police officers gathered Dec. 12 at the Indian River Marina to help Santa unload a boat full of donations for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.

They were joined by Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Gregory Patterson and Deputy Secretary Dayna Cobb.

Santa arrived at the marina by boat, bringing bicycles and boxes filled with toys donated by Delaware families since late October. The ceremonial delivery marked the 11th year DNRP has organized the Toys for Tots collection, a long-standing tradition centered on giving back to the community and supporting families in need. Every effort is made to ensure donations remain in the county in which they are collected, supporting local families throughout the holiday season.

Santa, aka Delaware Natural Resources Police Capt. Josh Hudson, said the donations have grown exponentially over the last 10 years.

“Just making sure all the kids have a toy at Christmas time is what it’s all about,” Hudson said.

From 2019 to 2024, DNRP has collected more than 6,000 toys statewide. This year’s statewide total reached 2,580 toys, with 530 collected in New Castle County, and 2,050 in Kent and Sussex counties, according to Delaware Natural Resources Police Sgt. Andy Manning.

 

The participants pose for a photo. In back are (l-r) Sgt. David Redgraves, Sgt. Andy Manning, Staff Cpl. Tim Koebel, Officer Dillon Baker, Maj. Steve Savidge, PPO Sam Truitt, Master Cpl. Dan Goebel (behind Santa), Staff Cpl. Tyler Beutler, Capt. Bryan John, Cpl. Austin Bergeron and Cpl. Josh Schmidt. In front are DNREC Deputy Secretary Dayna Cobb, Santa aka Capt. Josh Hudson, DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson, Lt. Rebecca Salmon, Capt. Casey Zolper and Deputy Chief John McDerby. GRACE HOFFMAN PHOTO
Staff Cpl. Tyler Beutler, left, and Sgt. David Redgraves are followed by Deputy Chief John McDerby as they carry toys from the boat. GRACE HOFFMAN PHOTO
Loads of toys, stuffed animals and bicycles have been donated for the Toys for Tots program. GRACE HOFFMAN PHOTO
Santa gives the officers a wave and a ho-ho-ho. PHOTO COURTESY OF DNREC
Officers team up to unload the boat. PHOTO COURTESY OF DNREC

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