A message from Delta County Sheriff Ricky Smith:
The Delta County Sheriff’s Office and other Delta County law enforcement are partnering this year with all Delta County Fire Departments and EMS in an effort to gather Christmas toys for needy children in our area. The event will be named Blue and Red Santa. Across the country law enforcement agencies are involved in toy drives for needy families and these events are generally named Blue Santa. In Delta County our law enforcement ranks are rather small so we chose to partner with the Delta County Fire Departments and EMS thus the name Blue and Red Santa.
All toys gathered during the event will be turned over to the Child Protective Service Angel Tree program for Delta County. Each year there are 100 plus children that are signed up by parents for this event in Delta County. These children are from families that are financially struggling and that simply cannot provide much of a Christmas celebration for their families. Our Blue and Red Santa event is designed to supplement the Christmas celebration for many of these families. The Blue and Red Santa program helps the community in two ways. First and most importantly, it helps provide much needed items to families in need and assists children who may not have much for Christmas. Second, it helps promote positive community relations between law enforcement/fire/EMS and the community.
The event will start on December 1, 2014 and end with a stew dinner at the civic center on December 20, 2014. On or after December 1, 2014 please feel free to stop by the Delta County Sheriff’s Office and drop off a toy or cash donation to help support the event. Additionally, the Cooper Dollar General has agreed to help in this effort. A collection box will be available at the Dollar General to receive toys or clothing donations throughout the event.
On Friday December 12 and Monday December 15, 2014 Delta County Law Enforcement, Fire Departments and the EMS will be available on the Cooper square across from the First National Bank from 4:00 PM until 6:00PM to collect toys, clothing or other donations. On December 20, 2014 the stew dinner will begin at 5:30 PM at the Civic Center in Cooper. Price of admission will be a toy or cash donation. Delta County Law Enforcement, Firefighters and EMS will provide entertainment through a series of competitive events.
Families that need help may apply at the Delta County Court House just outside the County Judge’s office. Please join us this year to help create a merry Christmas for our children that might otherwise not have the benefit of a completely enjoyable holiday.