Rotary Donates Toys to Operation Blue Santa

December 4, 2019 - Center Rotary Club members brought toys to their Tuesday, December 3rd meeting to donate to Operation Blue Santa.

Amy Lindley, a representative of the Blue Santa team, spoke to the club about Operation Blue Santa and how it started. A past officer of the police department, Jim Blackwell, along with current officers Andrew Williams and Steve Thornburg felt the desire to start the toy drive back in 2016 with the purpose of helping some of the families in the community. After the death of Ed Roberts in May 2017, Operation Blue Santa was needed more than ever. Roberts was a retired police officer who was behind Santa Rides a Motorcycle and his family made one more ride for Santa Rides a Motorcycle the Christmas after his passing.

In 2018 Operation Blue Santa was in high gear as a toy drive for families in Shelby County needing help with Christmas and volunteers delivered Christmas toys to 275 kids.

This year is the third year of Blue Santa. Toy and monetary donations are appreciated to help Blue Santa be able to provide toys for as many families as they can. Lindley advised a total of 170 applications have already been received and with the deadline for applications being December 9th there will definitely be more coming in.

On Sunday, December 8, Cookies and Cocoa with Santa will be held in the Center Police Department lobby from 2pm until 4pm. Every person who brings a gift donation for Blue Santa will be entered into a drawing for a 32in TV and DVD player.

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