Santa Claus will add new stops to his route this year courtesy of the Marion Police Brotherhood.

The group’s annual toy drive had its most successful campaign so far, and on Wednesday officers packed up the collected gifts for members of the Berkley-based Justice Resource Institute. The institute serves kids from Dartmouth to Dennis, with several children housed in the tri-town.

New toys, stuffed animals, sports gear and more are bound for children in the institute’s foster care and adoption program.

“Thank you to the town of Marion and to the Marion Police Department,” said Program Director Susan Mazzarella. “These gifts are invaluable. We are so grateful.”

She said because of the drive some kids in the program will receive Christmas presents for the first time in their lives.

The institute serves children up to 18 years old, but in the past two years, it has seen an uptick in children 12 and younger requiring assistance.

“So many of these children come to us with nothing,” Mazzarella said.

For some, the toys will become more than mere playthings.

“When [the children are] in a strange bed or strange home for the first time, having something like a stuffed animal or doll to hold is important,” she said. “The toys have therapeutic value. Not only will they make the kids happy, but they're also comforting.”

Mazzarella explained that her organization helps children suffering from trauma who have difficulty being adopted due to behavioral issues.

Foster parents receive specialized training while institute staff make regular home visits to ensure kids get the care they need.

“They have behavioral and emotional issues that need to be monitored,” Mazzarella said. “It’s much more comprehensive than traditional foster care because the children’s needs are different.”

Police efforts to collect toys is a small, but certainly not insignificant, part of helping the foster kids, she said.

Toys were dropped off at the police station and Town House. Donations were also left at the brotherhood’s annual Pizza with Santa event held on Dec. 5.

“The officers have done a great job collecting clothes and toys in an effort to give back to the community,” Police Chief Lincoln Miller said.

Officer Alisha Crosby, who fosters two children in the program, said the department was grateful for the community support.

“This was our biggest year ever,” Crosby said. “A lot of people were involved.”

Mazzarella responded with gratitude.

“This will help the kids feel more typical. This is a very powerful thing all of you did.”