LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Lubbock police officers are providing holiday fun and gifts to 23 boys and girls in the city’s Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs through the Santa Cops event.
The program has created lasting bonds and friendships over its 18 years, said Melissa Corley, executive director for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“The minute she met her Santa Cop for the day, they immediately made a connection and started a friendship, and a few weeks later that same Santa Cop came into our office and signed up to be her big sister,” Corley said.
Detective Olivia Boggs has participated in the event for years. She said being out with the kids is something she and her fellow officers look forward to every year.
“I have had kids come up to me and say, ‘I want a jacket,’ and you know for others that’s not something that’s really needed and so I think that means a whole lot more and so officers will do whatever they can do to get them all of their needs,” Boggs said. “Then if there’s extra, they give them some of the wants,” Boggs said.
Corley said the community has always stepped up to help the event through monetary donations. She said donations of any size can help make a child’s holiday dream come true.
Lubbock police bring holiday joy to Big Brothers Big Sisters kids through Santa Cops program(KCBD)
“Any amount that is donated, we make sure it goes back into the community, back to serving our families, our friends, our neighbors,” Corley said. “So during this Christmas season, that’s what it is all about, is being there for each other, and Santa Cops helps make that happen and I’m really glad that we get to partner with them,” Corley said.
Corley hopes the event will continue for years to come. She said it never gets old seeing the kids have the biggest smiles on their faces when receiving gifts and spending the day with local officers.
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