Giving Santa a Hand in Odenton

Santa Claus employed the help of some local elves on Tuesday night, as the community gathered to wrap gifts for children living in motels in Odenton and Laurel. 

Dozens of children will receive wrapped gifts on Christmas morning as part of an initiative led by the Odenton Volunteer Fire Department, Anne Arundel County Police Department and local churches.

Tuesday's "wrap party" at the Odenton fire hall brought dozens of volunteers to organize gifts ranging from clothes, toys, coloring books, puzzles and games. The community came through with hundreds of donations over the last month. 

There are about three dozen families with children living at the Royal Inn in Odenton and dozens more living in motels in the Maryland City area. 

Earlier in December, police and fire departments help organize a tree-lighting party and a visit from Santa Claus at the Royal Inn.