Friday, January 6, 2012

HPD, Houston Texans kick off Blue Santa Program for kids - Your Houston News: Atascocita News

Houston Police Chief Charles A. McClelland, Jr. and Houston Texans Pro-Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson announced Nov. 29 the official kickoff of HPD’s annual Blue Santa Christmas Program.

The purpose of today’s event at HPD Headquarters was to encourage public support for the Blue Santa Houston program and encourage Houstonians to donate to Blue Santa to assist as many underprivileged families assisted as possible through community donations and corporate sponsorships. Donations provide more toys for underprivileged youth in our community.

Since 1984, the Blue Santa Houston Program has delivered thousands of gifts, toys and holiday cheer to needy children and their families. The program is expected to provide toys to more than 12,000 kids. Johnson has graciously donated autographed memorabilia to Blue Santa Houston to be auctioned to raise funds this year to provide toys to children in need.

“This is a great time of year for the Houston Police Department,” said McClelland. “This program grew out of a need to give underprivileged kids toys for Christmas.”

Johnson said this program is a team effort.

“I’d like to thank HPD for having me here and partnering with me again,” he said. “Hopefully we can help a lot of kids in the community this year.”

Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor, or wishing to make a donation, is asked to contact Officer Martha Bailey at the Blue Santa Hotline at 713-247-8730.

Source: http://www.yourhoustonnews.com