Each year they provide close to 4,000 families with a full holiday meal and wrapped Christmas gifts for each child under age 14.  When it comes down to it, that is about 15,000 to 17,000 children with toys and Christmas dinner in one day, an astonishing logistical feat.  However, this year was especially difficult for Operation Blue Santa.  Another local charity was shut down heading into the Christmas season, leaving hundreds of families who usually depend on the defunct charity unsure of where they would receive their holiday help.  Would they have a Christmas?

AFD Assistant Chief and President of Operation Blue Santa, Ken Crooks, and the rest of his team weren’t sure how but he knew they had to do something to help these families.  The budget didn’t exactly account for the last-minute addition of hundreds of families.  This is where Chive Nation came up big.  When I told Ken that Chive Charities was making a $50,000 donation to Operation Blue Santa with the help of the Chivers, Ken hugged us and said, “You just saved Christmas.”

theCHIVE, theBERRY and Chive Charities crew were able to volunteer at the Blue Santa warehouse and help wrap and package the gifts going out to thousands of children this year.

The whole community gets involved on drop off day.  There are close to 4,000 drop offs made in the matter of just a few hours.  When we got to the distribution center, there were already hundreds of cars lined up waiting to bring Christmas cheer to families in need.  

Assistant Chief Jessica Robledo was nice enough to let us ride along for a few drop offs.  It was an unforgettable experience.

The children answered the doors in their pajamas, eyes wide with excitement.  We were bringing them Christmas.

Thanks to everyone from Operation Blue Santa, the Austin Police Department and Fire Department for an unforgettable couple of days.  Find out how you can get involved with Operation Blue Santa here.