Mother-of-five Veronica Bucio stood in line at Grace Church with her children, waiting to get their photo taken with Santa Claus.

Her children — ages 2, 6, 9, 10 and 14 — laughed as they waited for their photo, which would be followed by free cookies and hot cider.

Bucio beamed when she spoke of the free holiday gifts that she was able to pick out for her children, thanks to the Federal Way Police Department’s annual Adopt-A-Family program.

“They’re going to have something to open on Christmas,” Bucio said, noting that this was the third year in a row that the police department, Grace Church and the greater community helped provide her family with Christmas gifts. “My husband is the only one who works and with five kids, it’s a blessing to have something for them to open.”

Bucio’s husband works as a part-time painter and his income is not enough to support their large family.

Bucio was not alone. Another 119 families joined her at the church, where parents shopped through donated toys and gift cards for their children on Dec. 12.

Thanks to generous donations from the community, the police department and their partners were able to double the amount of families they served this year. Federal Way Public Schools identified those families in greatest need throughout the district.

Mother-of-five Angenetta Davis also waited in line with her children — ages 11 months, 2, 3, 5 and 6 — to get their photo taken with Santa. Her oldest children attend Lake Grove Elementary.

“I think it’s pretty cool. I’ve been here before,” Davis said of the annual event. “It helps out a lot because I can’t afford anything for them because we’re currently in the moving process, so this allows me to have Christmas for them.”

During the event, one room was set up for kids to do activities, including creating a gift for their parents. Another room was set up for parents, where they could look through new toys and stocking stuffers set up on several tables, with the help of personal shoppers dressed as elves.

Families were also provided with stockings, gift wrapping and were sent home with a Christmas ham for their family dinner. New this year was a “family zone,” where families got their photos taken with Santa.

Kathlee Kampa, who attends Grace Church and volunteered at the event for her second year, said it’s fun to give of her time.

“I love to see the babies’ faces. They get the biggest grins when they get to see Santa Claus. Many of these families maybe couldn’t afford to get their pictures taken at the mall with Santa,” Kampa said.

She added that she wouldn’t have known there were so many people in need in the community if she didn’t volunteer for the church.

“I love that the church bands together with the community to help — that’s what churches are for.”

Many volunteer elves bustled about during the event helping families, including Jon McIntosh, the pastor of Grace Church, and his wife Wendy. Other elves included Federal Way Police Department officers and staff, and the current Washington State Criminal Justice Training Academy class, who selected the Adopt-A-Family event as their community service project.

Janice Siebenaler, with Heritage Bank, helped parents select toys as a personal shopper. She said this year, as the program expanded, event organizers partnered with Heritage Bank, where they stored toys and gifts in the basement.

“It’s wonderful. There are stories that are just heartwarming,” Siebenaler said of the families. “It takes a huge heart to do all of this.”

Cathy Schrock, a spokeswoman for the police department, said altogether, they were able to serve more than 400 children. She said the amount of sponsors and community involvement has continued to grow each year, just as the need for the program has grown.

Other organizations and businesses who supported the program include Korum for Kids Foundation, the Federal Way Lions Foundation, Federal Way Soroptimist International, All Right Auto Sales, Puget Sound Periodontics, Costco, H-Mart, Heritage Bank, Federal Way Police Support Services Association, Federal Way Police Guild, Federal Way Lieutenant’s Association, Kiwanis, Cash America, Temple Fitness, Life and Health Chiropractic, King County Motor Sports, and donations from residents.