Our local law enforcement officers keep us safe and respond to all sorts of situations throughout the year, but it’s rare that they are caught playing Santa Claus.

However, this year as every year, various law enforcement agencies and groups in Suffolk have been pulling out all the stops to bring Christmas cheer to those who are less fortunate — and in most cases, they have personally delivered the cheer, as well.

Most recently, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 41 made its annual delivery of 25 food baskets to needy families in Suffolk and Isle of Wight. The lodge partnered with the North Main Street Walmart to get turkeys, potatoes, vegetables, fruit and more to help create the perfect holiday meal for those in need.

Lodge members and other volunteers made the deliveries on Friday last week, and the families could not have been more grateful.

“This is awesome,” said Tracey Trevathan, one of the recipients, when she got her delivery. “Thank you so much.”

Earlier this month, the lodge also partnered with Walmart for the annual Cops and Kids program, where lodge members shopped with 17 local children who may otherwise have received little or nothing for Christmas. The children got to buy for themselves as well as for family members, and at least one even got a little something for the law enforcement officer who helped her shop — making it clear that this program is having the desired positive impact on local young people.

Also this month, both the Suffolk Sheriff’s Office and Suffolk Police Department collected toys in front of local Walmart stores and donated them. The Sheriff’s Office donated their haul to local schools, while the police department gave the toys to Toys for Tots.

All the good work and community outreach they do all year long does not go unnoticed, but somehow it seems a little extra special at the holiday season. We extend hearts full of gratitude to our local law enforcement officers for their generosity.