Blue Santa creates Christmas smiles
news@wood.cm
Anyone attending or passing the Mineola Walmart last Tuesday will be wondering why there were around 40 police and emergency cars parked outside.
The answer is Blue Santa. This event, which …
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Blue Santa creates Christmas smiles
Anyone attending or passing the Mineola Walmart last Tuesday will be wondering why there were around 40 police and emergency cars parked outside.
The answer is Blue Santa. This event, which started in Tyler in 2007, is a heartwarming and encouraging experience in which police from all across the community volunteer and collaborate to help local kids. The kids, who are nominated through schools, counselors or other means, are often “victims or witnesses of crimes,” according to the East Texas Regional Fraternal Order of Police website. As their website says, “The last time a child comes into contact with an officer should not be remembered as the worst day of that child’s life.”
This is why last Tuesday found 65 kids and more than 70 police, security and emergency workers together and smiling as they wandered throughout the store. Thanks to the generous selflessness of the community, each underprivileged child was given a $400 Walmart gift card to spend on whatever they wanted for Christmas.
Police from all across the county came to the event to bond with the kids, according to Winnsboro ISD police chief Heath Guy.
“This is my second year,” he said. “I had a blast… it’s very fun.”
Their goal was not only to give the kids presents, but also to show them that “I’m a normal person, just like you,” as Guy says. Visitors to Walmart would have seen police in full uniform and gear helping little girls choose dolls, looking for the best art set and comparing Lego sets with a smile.
The organizers of the event worked to ensure that the kids got to shop with someone from their own city, if possible, to further the personal connection.
“I used to have a video game like this when I was young, too,” said Mineola PD Officer Tustin as he stood in the electronics aisle with Maverick, a young teen.
The police also keep in contact with the kids to ensure that the bond isn’t broken.
Due to these efforts, Chief Guy said he has seen a positive change in the community’s perception of their local police.
Looking at the beaming faces – of the kids and of the officers – it was easy to see that doing Blue Santa is a joy for everyone involved.
