WORCESTER, Mass. - In an effort to help students and their families in need this holiday season, the Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) police department is holding its annual "Stuff a Cruiser" event.

This is the sixth year the police have hosted the event. People are able to drop off new, unwrapped toys to "Blue Santa."

The QCC police department says they have more families needing toys than they've ever had before.  Captain Joseph Cecchi says it's important for students in their police academy to learn about giving back to their community. 

"It's great. Being a police officer is about giving back to the community and being there,” Capt. Cecchi said. “Our community police is very important to have a connection with the community. To see the parents come up when we give them the toys that we collected this whole week, it means a lot to them so they can have a fulfilling Christmas."

Donations can also be dropped off Wednesday and Thursday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the flagpoles on QCC’s main campus.

Captain Cecchi says they are in need of toys for older kids as well.