Volunteers in their best elf drag sorted toys, Santa worked the door and a champagne station got the party started. All that happens before you got 10 feet into one of the most festive parties of the season so far. 

The party was for Undercover Santa, an organization that collects toys and grocery gift cards to help make sure every kid can have some happy holidays. The group is run by Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Bill Schultz, who said that this is the most successful event they’ve held. 

“I’m very happy with the turnout. I’m very happy with the toys we’re getting. This is insane.” 

The party went down at Funky Buddha and Schultz said the group collected more toys than any other event. 

The affordability crisis is especially acute in Broward County. This season, as families struggle to keep the lights on, holiday presents are becoming an unaffordable luxury. Undercover Santa is hoping to collect 5,000 toys and 3,000 grocery gift cards. 

Undercover Santa is collecting all the way through Christmas Eve, and has drop boxes all around greater Wilton Manors.

Photo by John Hayden.