AYER- The lobby of the Ayer Police station took on a distinct holiday flavor Thursday, when the proceeds of the department’s annual toy drive were put on display.

The drive has collected approximately 275 toys during the last three weeks, and were all turned over to Loaves and Fishes Thursday to support holiday programs that benefits needy families in the region.

Tom Kurian, Lisa Felix, Mike Snee and Richard Crabtree present REC's donation

With a representative from Loaves and Fishes on hand to accept the donation, officers congratulated each other on a job well done, while the lobby Christmas tree was encroached by toys of all shapes and sizes.

Ayer patrolman John MacDonald, who started the drive four years ago and has spearheaded it since, termed this year’s effort a fulfilling success, saying this is what it is all about.

“it’s just knowing the kids will have something to open Christmas morning,” he said.  “It’s nice to see.”

Donations benefit the Loaves and Fishes annual shop for your kids day, where parents in need are provided toys for their families free-of-charge.  The event was held on Dec. 16 at Shrivers Jobs Corps.

Loaves and Fishes toy drive coordinator Vicki Zimmerman said toys for the event are collected through donations in the six communities served by the organization.

While the Ayer police drive is one of several Loaves Fishes depends on each December for the event, Zimmerman said the need was especially great this year, as the organization is in the midst of relocating and had to liquidate its toy reserves due to space limitations.

“The fact that we could count on this really helped us this year,” she said.

“This is amazing,” she said.  “He’s just a wonderfully dependable person to work with.  We appreciate his work immensely.”

Ayer police Chief Richard Rizzo offered a similar praise, saying MacDonald’s efforts brought in a steady flow of donations.

“This looks like the biggest year yet,” he said.  “Officer MacDonald worked hard on this.”

“Each year it’s more successful,” he said.  “Of course, we couldn’t do any of this without public support.  They have been very generous.”

In giving thanks, MacDonald credited both Renaissance Electronics Corporation of Harvard and the D’amato family of Ayer for significant contributions.

Rizzo and MacDonald also noted the annual $500 contribution from the Patrolman’s Association, which is used to kick-off the toy drive each year.

Finally, MacDonald gave thanks to the local media.

“I’d also like to thank Nashoba Publishing and the Ayer Public Access Corporation for helping us to get the word out,” he said.

While the transfer of toys has been completed, MacDonald said the drive is likely not over yet.  Each year about 100 toys are dropped off between when the drive ends and Christmas, saying those toys are forwarded to Loaves and Fishes as well.

After that, the toy drive will be on hiatus until next year.

Last year, the Loaves and Fishes toy drive reached an estimated 350 children in 125 families last year.

Loaves and Fishes serves families in need form Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley.