SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Police Department’s Blue Santa Program is in full effect for the holiday season.
Applications to apply were originally supposed to close Dec. 6; however, SAPD has extended the application process through Tuesday, Dec. 10.
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To apply, families can fill out an application at any of the SAPD substations.
When applying, applicants will need to show a CPS Energy or water bill, along with a copy of your child/children’s birth certificate. The age range for children who are eligible is newborn to 12 years old. Applicants must live in San Antonio.
History of Blue Santa
The idea of Blue Santa came from San Antonio police Officer Tom Preston.
On Christmas Eve in 1976, Preston and fellow officers knew they wanted to serve families across our city who could not afford toys under their trees.
Multiple officers used their own money to purchase and distribute toys to children in our community.
Years later, Preston dressed up as Santa but wore navy instead of the classic red we all know. That is when San Antonio’s Blue Santa was created.
Now as an official SAPD program, Blue Santa serves as many as 8,000 families a year.
The community is invited to donate to the Blue Santa Program. You can do so by clicking here.