San Angelo Police Prepare for Blue Santa

Officer Brian Bylsma, a motorcycle patrolman in the traffic division, said that the most enjoyable times of his job are riding his motorcycle and organizing the annual Blue Santa event for Christmas. Each year, the San Angelo Coalition of Police raises money to support Operation Blue Santa, a project that benefits underprivileged kids from San Angelo.

The counselors at every elementary school in the San Angelo ISD nominate children to participate who reside in underprivileged home environments and may otherwise not be able to afford Christmas gifts. This year, the police extended the program into Grape Creek. The kids are invited to match up with a San Angelo police officer at Walmart on the Blue Santa Day, and with $250 in donated cash, the police officer takes the child Christmas shopping for the child’s family.

Bylsma said that the program gives police officers a chance to interact with children in a positive, fun environment. Usually, he said, the children only see a police officer when tragedy looms. Bylsma thinks that the program is working because as these children grow up to become adults, they may not remember the officer’s name, but they remember that the officer was fun and kind.

For the officer, it allows him or her to interact with the community in a positive, uplifting environment. And it spreads the Christmas cheer, Bylsma said.

Over the past eight years, Operation Blue Santa has taken approximately 300 kids Christmas shopping and spent approximately $60,000.00, thanks to the generosity of our community sponsors. This year, Blue Santa is inviting 42 kids to participate.

This year's Operation Blue Santa project is scheduled for December 13, 2014, at 9:15 a.m. at the Walmart on 29^th Street.

To donate to Blue Santa this year, please contact Officer Bylsma directly at 325-657-4307 or by email at [email protected].