A group of local veterans surprised hundreds of children in Bridgeport with a late holiday treat Sunday.

The veterans teamed up with Andrew LaSala and Mary Boudreau, of the Building Hope Foundation, and Father Skip Karsinski, of Blessed Sacrament Church, in passing along the overflow of gifts to children at two Sunday services.

Daniel Harris, of the Marine Veterans of Fairfield County, says his organization collected nearly 40,000 gifts for the holiday season of 2020, and because some charities declined to accept them this year due to the pandemic - there were thousands left over.

The Marine Veterans of Fairfield County are asking for volunteers to join their ranks year-round.