San Marcos Police Department Announces Kick-Off Of Operation: Blue Santa

Since 1972, the San Marcos Police Department’s Blue Santa program has provided toys to local children who might not otherwise have gifts for Christmas. Each year, the Blue Santa program provides gifts to 1,000 – 1,400 kids. 

Staff Reports

On Tuesday, November 6, the San Marcos Police Department announced the kick off of its annual Blue Santa Toy drive.

The department is now accepting monetary donations and new, unwrapped toys; donations will be accepted until December 7.

Residents can drop off monetary donations and toys to the San Marcos Police Department at 2300 S. IH-35 in San Marcos. Organizers appreciate all donations and request no stuffed animals or used toys be donated.

This season, Blue Santa will partner with Five Below’s San Marcos location at 750 Barnes Dr. and New Braunfels’s location at 251 Creekside Crossing. Each partnering location will have toy collection barrels inside.

Since 1972, the San Marcos Police Department’s Blue Santa program has provided toys to local children who might not otherwise have gifts for Christmas. Each year, the Blue Santa program provides gifts to 1,000 – 1,400 kids. 

Applications

Applications for Operation: Blue Santa assistance are available at the San Marcos Police Department at 2300 IH-35, the Southside Community Center at 518 S Guadalupe Street, WIC at 401 Broadway, and the Department of Human Services at 1901 Dutton Drive in San Marcos.

Applications can also be found online at www.sanmarcostx.gov/496/Apply. The deadline for applications is Dec. 10 at 5 PM.                          

Volunteering

Blue Santa gift wrapping begins on Nov. 13 at 750 Barnes Drive Suite 100 (between Target and JC Penney’s). Volunteers are needed to wrap and package toys on the following dates:

• Tuesday, Nov. 13    6 to 8 PM
  
• Tuesday, Nov. 20    6 to 8 PM
  
• Tuesday, Nov. 27    6 to 8 PM
  
• Tuesday, Dec. 4      6 to 8 PM
  

Toy pick-up and distribution

Toy pick up will be Friday, Dec. 21 and Saturday, Dec. 22 from 10 AM to 8 PM at 750 Barnes Drive Suite 100 (between Target and JC Penney).

Toys will be delivered by police officers and/or members of the San Marcos Police Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association on Saturday, Dec. 23, from 8 AM to 12 PM for those unable to pick up their toys. People not home at the time of delivery will not receive their gifts.

For more information, contact Cpl. Laray Taylor at 512.754.2270.