Blue Santa benefits more than 600 children for Christmas 

The Temple Police Department’s Blue Santa Program was able to make the holiday season brighter for families across the City of Temple, helping 226 families and 649 kids. 

“The growth we have seen in the program has been phenomenal and to have the opportunity to serve so many families and kids in the community is a distinct honor for our agency,” said Temple Police Chief Shawn Reynolds. 

In total, the police department wrapped 3,245 gifts prior to the Christmas holiday. That is a 56 percent increase for families and a 67 percent increase for kids compared to last year where the department was able to help 145 families and 388 kids. 

That increase is phenomenal considering a flood earlier in the year damaged most stockpiled toys collected for 2020. Businesses and the community stepped up to reinvigorate the program and help the department meet the program’s mission to provide toys for children in need during the Christmas season. Throughout the year the department collected monetary donations and new unwrapped toys.  

Through the program, each child received four gifts and a book. Applicants were required to live in Temple and provide proof of residence and age verification. The program is open to children age 14 and under. 

Chief Reynolds would like to thank the programs administrator, Alicia Tronecker, Amy Ponce, and all that volunteered. 

Temple PD’s Blue Santa program began in 2012 and has since benefited more than 2,400 Temple children.