Operation Blue Santa is a go

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The holiday season is upon us and the Austin Police Department is stepping up to make sure this year's Operation Blue Santa is making sure children in need still have a merry Christmas.

On Monday, APD officially kicked off Operation Blue Santa with Chief Art Acevedo and the organization's board of directors.

The mission is to provide toys and food for more than 3,800 families in the Austin-area with the help of residents, businesses, volunteers, and the men and women in blue.

Operation Blue Santa was created in 1972 by two APD patrol officers who realized that some families in their area would not have gifts or food for their children at Christmas. The distribution began with 20 families from the back of a patrol car.

From now until Dec. 14, people can donate unwrapped new toys, monetary donations, or non-perishable food items at various locations throughout Austin.

• Toy Drop-off Sites

Volunteers are also needed to help sort packages and deliver the actual gifts.

Delivery day is on Saturday, Dec. 15 this year.

For more information, please call 512-974-BLUE.