County sheriff cancels Brown Santa

BURNET COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - With 35 days until Christmas, Burnet County is frantically scrambling to get Christmas presents to hundreds of local children in need. Administrator secretary Donna Fritsch said two weeks ago Sheriff Joe Pollock told his staff the Brown Santa program, that provides gifts to underprivileged children, had been discontinued. Pollock's last day in office will be Dec. 31, after losing his re-election bid. Pollock said he was not interested in commenting on the situation.

The Brown Santa program was started in 2001 three weeks before Christmas when financially strapped parents kept calling the Sheriff's Office asking if there was a program in place. Doris Graeter and Vickie Seiley were instrumental in getting the program up and running. "The county can't do without it this year with everything going on," said Fritsch.

The two women have decided to start up a new Christmas gift charity program they have named 'Burnet County Santa's Helpers.' Old materials from the Brown Santa program have not been made available to them. "We are starting from rock bottom," said Seiley.

Besides new toys, the county does not have essential materials such as wrapping paper, scissors and tape. They are desperately asking for the public's help. New unwrapped toys need to be dropped off at the Burnet Chamber of Commerce located on the downtown square at 229 S. Pierce Street Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Toy boxes are also located at several businesses around town, including Family Dollar. A donation account has also been set up at First State Bank in Burnet.

Thursday morning, tears filled Fritsch's eyes when Officer Gary Boshears with the Granite Shoals Police Officer's Association walked into the Chamber with a fellow officer and handed a $500 check to her. The POA is challenging other organizations to step up and match their donation.

The Bertram Police Department has teamed with the Marines Toys for Tots program. They made the move after learning the sheriff's office was no longer doing Brown Santa. Police chief David Caudle said a city building and volunteers are lined up. They need applicants so they know who needs help.