(Seguin) — The Seguin Police Department’s Blue Santa Program will once again deliver toys to children this year, but it’s changing how families can access the program.
Seguin Police Chief Jason Brady recently informed the Seguin City Council about the changes. Brady says they want to adjust the process to make sure toys reach more children in Seguin and Guadalupe County.
“For over 20 years, the Seguin Police Department has proudly administered the Blue Santa Program. Through this initiative, our department has served not only children in Seguin, but also those throughout Guadalupe County. This program would not be possible without the generosity and support of our community, as well as the dedication of our incredible officers and volunteers. In 2002, we received nearly 400 Blue Santa applications and provided gifts to almost 1,100 children across the county. With the unprecedented growth of our region and that we continue to experience, we find it necessary to implement new measures and ensure that our limited resources are prioritized for families most in need of assistance,” said Brady.
The change calls for the police department to work more closely with school districts across Guadalupe County to ensure that children are properly identified for the Blue Santa Program.
“Beginning this holiday season, the Seguin Police Department will partner with local school districts to identify and select families of students within each district to receive support through the Blue Santa program. Selected families will either receive an application form sent home with the student or be contacted directly by a school administrator for assistance with the application program. Families who homeschool their children are also eligible to participate,” said Brady.
Blue Santa is designed to provide one gift for each child who is signed up. Chief Brady says the new process will prevent multiple signups for the same child and help them better distribute the toys available each year.
“To be frank, we were getting some repeat customers because an aunt would claim kids and a mother would claim kids. We were also providing for (kids in) Schertz and Cibolo, and we want to make sure that it’s our city or…those school districts that provide for our community. So, we are just kind of tightening it up,” said Brady.
Brady says all other aspects of the program will remain the same, including the need for community donations of toys and other gifts for children to receive before Christmas. Plans are already in place for Blue Santa drop-off locations, including the annual KWED Holiday Food & Toy Drive.
The big event—which features the takeover of Court Street—will relocate this year to the front of the Guadalupe County Courthouse. Local first responders, elected officials, business leaders, and school personnel will all be on hand to collect toys for Blue Santa and nonperishable food items for the Christian Cupboard.
The community event is moving from in front of the radio station to the courthouse to provide more room and to make it easier for donations to be dropped off that morning. The entire event will run from 7 to 9 a.m. on Friday, December 5. Cash donations can also be dropped off at the street corners near the courthouse.
Businesses, organizations, or individuals who would like to participate in the food and toy drive can email darren@kwed1580.com.