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In this 2018 photo, (from left) Amanda Weatherford, Amy Griggs and Lee Glenn organize bikes that were donated to the Blue Santa toy drive. File
Law enforcement program gives toys to those in need
Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County law enforcement are looking forward to the giving season this month with the Blue Santa toy drive which collects toys for local families in need as well as monetary donations.
The tradition of Blue Santa was born in 1976 in San Antonio, according to the San Antonio Police Department, when officer Tom Preston and his fellow officers realized that, although they would have a warm and cozy Christmas eve with a present-laden tree, not all families could look forward to such fortune. The SAPD officers purchased toys to distribute, and the tradition has continued to grow since. To represent law enforcement or “the men and women in blue,” Blue Santa wears a blue tailored suit to hand out toys to kids.
Blue Santa’s main event in Sulphur Springs this year was Dec. 2-3 at the Lowe’s parking lot. Law enforcement collected toys for the more than 800 kids who were on the list to receive and held a barbecue cookout to raise money. Distribution of the toys will take place sometime this month before Christmas.
Locals can still support Blue Santa by donating where they see bins set up for toys. Unopened toys are needed for ages 1-16, or law enforcement is taking donations to buy more toys. Bicycles are also welcome.
Blue Santa will be a part of the Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade this Friday, Dec. 6.