Two Santas — Blue Santa and Deputy Santa — will be coming to Cuero and De-Witt County to spread cheer to needy children this year.
For the 15th year, Blue Santa will be making an appearance in Cuero. He will be assisted by Cuero Police Department, Cuero EMS and Cuero ISD Student Services.
“The program is de- designed to collect donations to gift presents to the less fortunate children that live within the city limits of Cuero,” said CPD Investigator Catrina Rubio.
The donations come from the business and residential community in money, wrapping supplies and new unopened toys.
Rubio said program organizers expect to help about 50 families this year.
Rubio said the program started after a man was arrested for shoplifting, and investigators learned the father attempted to commit the crime because he could not afford Christmas presents for his children.
“The result of the investigation then inspired the law enforcement officers of the community to create the Blue Santa program,” Rubio said.
Anyone willing to volunteer to wrap gifts is invited to help at Cuero Intermediate School Wednesday, Dec. 17, 5 to 8 p.m. The gifts will be available for pickup at the school, Saturday, Dec. 20, and the times will be announced on Cuero Blue Santa’s Facebook page.
For the 28th year, Deputy Santa will be remembering underprivileged children in DeWitt County. The program sponsored by the DeWitt County Sheriff’s Office began in 1997 under Sheriff Cliff Foulds.
Toys are collected, wrapped and bagged for families and delivered by volunteers two days for Christmas Eve, said Kimberly Jaluska, executive assistant to Sheriff Carl Bowen. About 70 families are expected to be assisted, she said.
“It’s very successful because it provides so much help to needy families,” Jaluska said. “We wouldn’t be able to do it without the help of the community and businesses.”
Organizers of both Blue Santa and Deputy Santa note that law enforcement officers are in a unique position to see the struggles some families face throughout the year.
The application deadlines for assistance in 2025 for families have passed.
