The Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority visited the city’s four family public housing sites Monday to spread the joy of giving at Christmas.

In the third year of the authority’s Christmas toy drive, the first stop, at about 1:30 p.m., was at Hoffler Apartments.

Items donated by authority staff and the Board of Commissioners were arranged on tables in the community center.

Housing Operations Director Sybil Bullock said the collection effort started the week after Thanksgiving.

Carolyn Harry, president of the resident council, said the drive has grown each year. “This is our best year yet,” she said. “We’re looking forward to next year being even bigger.”

It’s the time of year when many Suffolk families in public housing can use a little extra help, according to Harry.

“I wanted to do something for the kids in the community and try to help them to have a better Christmas,” she said.

The program operated in partnership with Mack Benn Jr., Hillpoint and Elephant’s Fork elementary schools. “The students in each community go to those schools,” Harry said.

Hoffler Apartments resident Gene Jones brought his young son Gene Jr. into the room to select a toy. “It’s a great idea,” he said. “I’m grateful this time of year.”

“It’s a blessing, because some people don’t have toys to give their kids,” said Dekeisha Mitchell, another parent, who selected a toy for her son and another for the child of a friend who was at work and couldn’t come to the distribution event herself.

Tocarra Riddick has three children. “It’s hard,” she said. “I don’t really have money to buy my kids anything for Christmas. So this is a big help.

“At least they get something under the tree.”

Through the rest of the afternoon, authority staff repeated the process at Cypress Manor Apartments and Parker Riddick Village, which are next to each other, and Colander Bishop Meadows.