By Michelle Durham

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) –Santa had some helpers today at Drexel University, wrapping a portion of about 5,000 gifts collected for needy children.

Dimitrios Boufides, director of city affairs at Drexel University’s community affairs office, has run this program for the last five years.  He says his goal is to make sure there are many smiles during this holiday season.

“We definitely don’t want a kid going without a gift every year,” he tells KYW Newsradio.

And he says they are helping Santa be eco-friendly.

“What we are doing is using recyclable bags to bag up the toys and distributing the toys to the community,” he explains.

Many Drexel students lined up today to help bag the toys.

“Having been a kid who has received gifts like this before, definitely makes me feel good to do that for people who remind me of me, when I was little,” said senior Ashley Parker Roman.