LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A beloved Slaton tradition brought volunteers together to distribute food, toys and other donations to families in need during this year’s Santa Red and Blue event.
The annual event gathers donations throughout the year and distributes them to families and individuals in the community.
Slaton Mayor Clifton Shaw said the event depends on community support that extends beyond its city limits.
“Anytime we have an event and we ask for volunteers, people do show up, and I can’t say everybody here is not from Slaton,” Shaw said. “We have people here from around the Lubbock County area that also come to this who help volunteer and make deliveries to help make this a special event,” Shaw said.
The Slaton Police Department also participated in the deliveries. Lieutenant Tyler Jones said he and fellow officers enjoy serving the community any way they can.
“Yeah, I love every aspect of this job. I have been here for nine years. I grew up here,” Jones said. “It’s just nice being able to serve the community I grew up in and just to see all the joy in their faces,” Jones said.
Shaw said families know about the donations in advance, but he says every time volunteers arrive at their door there is nothing but excitement and gratitude.
“When it actually shows up at their house, there is a lot of joy and a lot of smiles, and we enjoy visiting with these folks, whether it is the elderly or families with kids, we all enjoy visiting with them,” Shaw said.
Volunteer Keith Creager encouraged others to participate in community service, saying there is no better feeling than helping others.
“Just going in and being able to see everybody, see all the smiles and all the joy, just bringing out the sense of Christmas and the purpose behind it and the sense of everybody being able to join together and helping each other,” Creager said.
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