Armed with a police escort and thousands of dollars worth of toys, the annual AMR Toy Drive Parade made its way through Bridgeport Friday.

The group stopped off at needy homes and local hospitals, including St. Vincent?s Medical Center?s cancer center.

?We're going to be dropping off to kids who will probably be in the hospital for Christmas and won't be at home with their own Christmas tree and their family,? said Bill Schietinger, general manager at AMR.

As joyful as the occasion was, this year?s event was bittersweet for some at AMR. For the first time since the drive began in the 80s, longtime volunteer Marilyn Goldstone was not there, having passed away from cancer earlier this year.

The volunteers said Goldstone may be gone, but she?s not forgotten. As a final tribute to Goldstone, the toy drive was renamed ?The Marilyn Goldstone Annual Toy Drive.?