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Where is the Christmas Bureau of Austin?
APD is looking for answers
Updated: Monday, 26 Nov 2012, 11:22 AM CST
Published : Sunday, 25 Nov 2012, 10:58 PM CST
AUSTIN (KXAN) - For two decades, Alma Cruz was the face and spirit of the Christmas Bureau of Austin and Travis County, a locally run charity that helped hundreds of families and thousands of children in need.
But Cruz tragically died last Christmas season. And now Blue Santa, which oversees local gift giving to needy families, is asking a single question: Where is the Christmas Bureau?
The holiday season is usually filled with cheer, but for Joe Munoz, who oversees the Austin Police Department's Operation Blue Santa program , he's filled with concerned.
"If the Christmas Bureau doesn't come through that really puts us in a huge predicament," said Munoz. "We haven't heard anything from them."
Every year Operation Blue Santa is run by the Austin Police Department to ensure thousands of children in need have a happy holiday.
They partner with other organizations like the county's Brown Santa program, and the Christmas Bureau of Austin and Travis County, a privately run organization.
The programs work closely together each year to meet the need of the community, but this year things are different.
"Usually [the Christmas Bureau] purchases the applications for us, but this year since we did not hear from them we had to purchase the applications ourselves," said Munoz.
The big question is -- Where is the Christmas Bureau? A check of the organization's website says they are currently accepting online donations. A call to the phone number shows it was disconnected.
But according to the site they will be up and running at their location on Dec. 5. There is a listed address, which is just an empty building.
"It's certainly on our radar and we are certainly concerned with their absence at this late in the game," said Munoz.
With just weeks left before Christmas, the concern is growing. Especially because donations have been down with the Blue Santa and Brown Santa programs. Usually the Christmas Bureau is there to pick up the slack, but this year the fear is, that won't happen.
"The Brown Santa program did not get as many donations as they did in the past so they are still accepting donations," said Ola Jobe, a volunteer with Brown Santa.
If the Christmas Bureau doesn't come through this year it could leave thousands of kids without presents on Christmas day.
"This year we are kind of in limbo waiting on that Dec. 5 date," said Munoz.
In the coming weeks, the Operation Blue Santa executive board members said they will make a decision on how to move forward without the Christmas Bureau if necessary.
If you would like to donate, Operation Blue Santa and Brown Santa are still accepting donations.
Operation Blue Santa holds its annual Chuy's Parade on Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. in Downtown Austin to collect toys.
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