The McHenry Police Department helps with distributing presents to thousands of children in McHenry County on Sunday. | Provided Photo

Police officers and other volunteers helped on Sunday to deliver over 13,000 presents to children of struggling families in McHenry County.

Members of the McHenry Police Department and their family members delivered presents on behalf of the McHenry Area Rotary Club Secret Santa Program Sunday morning.

“The Secret Santa program helps struggling families by providing Christmas presents for their children, who otherwise might not get to experience the joy of opening a gift on Christmas,” the McHenry Police Department said.

The McHenry Police Department helps with distributing presents to thousands of children in McHenry County on Sunday. | Provided Photo

This was the fourth year the McHenry Police Department has assisted the program by delivering gifts, the police department said.

Over 13,000 presents were delivered to more than 2,000 children in the McHenry County area this year.

Last year, over 1,800 kids received presents.

“Many families in McHenry County are desperately struggling due to unexpected job loss, death of a wage earner, divorce or abandonment, illness, disability or other crises,” the McHenry Area Rotary Club said.

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“Children in these families might not otherwise experience the joy of a gift to unwrap on Christmas,” the organization added.