AUSTIN, Texas — CBS Austin/Telemundo Austin and the Austin Police Department teamed up again this year to help thousands of Central Texas families through the annual Operation Blue Santa Toy Drive.
The event took place all day Wednesday at the Walmart off I-35 between Parmer Lane and Howard Lane, where volunteers collected new, unwrapped toys for children in need. The program is expected to help more than 5,200 families this holiday season.
“Like all of us feel, you know, we’re excited to come out there and see the tree, the presents under it,” APD Assistant Chief James Mason said.
Operation Blue Santa has been a holiday tradition since 1972, when two Austin police officers realized multiple families wouldn’t have gifts to open during Christmas.
“Two officers realized, working their beat, that there were about 20 families that were not going to be able to have food on their table, as well as gifts for their children,” Mason said.
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Since then, the program has grown significantly, inspiring departments across the country to start similar drives.
“It’s a compliment, right, to be able to have them be able to provide for their communities,” Mason said.
APD says the toy drive’s success is made possible by volunteers, donors, and sponsors, including Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning, Electrical, Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union, and Cabo Bob’s, all sponsors this year.
“Thank you to all the volunteers, everybody that donates their time, whether it’s a toy or a monetary value,” Mason said.
For officers, Mason said the program is an opportunity to meet with families in a meaningful way during the holidays.
“It’s a nice time of year to be able to connect with people, you know, on a positive level,” he said.
Monetary donations are still being accepted at BlueSanta.org.