APD, volunteers deliver thousands of gifts with Operation Blue Santa

The Austin Police Department is aiming to lend a helping hand to families in need this Christmas with their Operation Blue Santa program.

AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Police Department is aiming to lend a helping hand to families in need this Christmas with their Operation Blue Santa program.

“The community comes together and we will be serving over 15,000 children this year from infants to 14 years of age,” said Margarine Beaman, president of Operation Blue Santa.

The operation started with just 20 families and has now grown to more than 6,000 families. They will be getting toys for their kids, a book, and also a holiday meal card.

“It started with two police officers in 1972 and it's grown to what it is today. It was awesome seeing families smile, seeing everybody pitching in. We had so many people from so many different organizations,’ said Nathan Akridge, volunteer.

Not only is this benefitting the recipients, but the volunteers too. One group who came to volunteer were participants in the Jail to Jobs program. The program mentors youth who are in jail or already released, and help them find a new path.

“Once they've run through our program which takes about two months, we get them hired with partnering companies all throughout Austin who understand and believe in what we are doing,” said Jeremias Cooper, director of Jail to Jobs.

Participants like Cedric Henderson say this kind of volunteering gives him a different outlook on life.

“A lot of people have been more fortunate to get a Christmas every year and it points it out to you that not everybody is as fortunate as you. The little things that we do can make a change, I wanted to be a part of that this year,” said Henderson.

Operation Blue Santa is always taking donations. With 47 years of service, they hope the program can continue to thrive with the help of the Central Texas community.