CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)—On Wednesday morning, the Charleston Police Department held its annual Santa Escort ride, delivering gifts to children across the Lowcountry. What started as a three-car event has transitioned to a motorcade of over 60 cruisers escorting Santa to make deliveries, spreading holiday cheer to kids across the Lowcountry. “Today puts everything in perspective, no matter what’s happened all year. This brings everything back to why we do what we do,” said Chito Walker, The Chief of the Charleston Police Department. Officers made stops at two schools, Sergio Center and Sanders Clyde Arts Creative Elementary. Students got to enjoy Storytime with Santa himself before he gifted each person a book. The motorcade then went to the Ronald McDonald House and the Fisher House, where Santa delivered hundreds of toys.  “It’s fantastic. I love seeing them help the community and helping the Fisher House. It’s the community at Its Best,” said Joel Grimstad, a member of the Fisher House. Six years ago, the late Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds started this program to help disadvantaged families and children in local hospitals. His widow told News 2 the tradition helps build strong bonds between the department and the community. “I hope the community sees that the police department isn’t always making arrests or giving traffic tickets. The department is very involved in the community, and amazingly, this is just one example of what they do every day,” said Caroline Reynolds, the wife of former police chief Luther Reynolds. The next holiday giving the Charleston Police Department plans to host is their annual North Pole Giving on December 23.