Operation Santa Claus was back in person this year at Castle Royale in Yonkers for an annual holiday brunch.

For 60 years, the nonprofit has raised money for local organizations that help people with disabilities.

"Holidays are especially a happy time for kids... and sometimes, kids with disabilities just get left out of that process. We want to ensure they're not left out of the process," said State Sen. Nick Spano, who is also the Operation Santa Claus chairman.

All the donations from the brunch will be given out as grants next year.

"It's just buying some life-sustaining equipment to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities. It might be as something [such] as a sensory device that would help them, it might be an adaptive wheelchair, something that's not normally covered through the normal reimbursement methodologies that exist," Spano explained.

Last year, Operation Santa Claus raised about $50,000 that benefited six local organizations.

"Our goal is always to exceed last year, and we've been able to do that every year," Spano said.

For more information on how to send donations please email gmb927@gmail.com