NEW YORK - Francis Donovan and some of his co-workers filled all the bags with some of the season’s best toys.

"I have kids of my own. I just see what I have and other kids don’t and it just touches my heart to see that we are able to give these young children and parents, toys for their children, for Christmas," said Donovan.

Donovan is a criminal investigator with the Legal Aid Society, which provides free legal representation for people who otherwise cannot afford it.

For the last 36 years, the organization has hosted a holiday party for 500 children and their families, many of them are homeless. This year's event was canceled because of the pandemic.

“The party is so much fun for everybody. The families come together; we all see each other. It’s a good time, but look at what it’s done. We can’t be together,” said Muriel Burrell after picking up toys for her grandchildren.

On Saturday, December 19, families still received a bag full of toys and gift cards.

“A lot of them are grandmothers taking care of grandchildren; a lot of them are single mothers. It’s a rough time for them, for food, winter clothing and toys for the children, so we at Legal Aid care very much for our children,” said Pat Bath of the Legal Aid Society.

The children were excited to guess what was in the bag.

“I do want a Hoverboard and a Nintendo Switch and an Xbox," said one little girl.

Their parents were grateful to have one less thing to worry about.

“It’s a lot. It’s a pandemic. School keeps going in and out but we try to make it somehow. We have to buy a lot of other stuff. Toys are hard to come by. We have to buy a lot of other stuff, a lot of food and stuff like that,” said Khalil Cooper, who brought his two children along.

Organizers say they hope that by this time next year, things are back to normal. They want to host their annual holiday party and celebrate with the children in 2021.