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Blue Santa Helps Make Killeen Christmas Bright

Once again, Killeen ISD police are pitching in to help Santa with the massive holiday gift rush to make sure every child has something special for Christmas.
For the fourth year, the district police department conducted a Blue Santa gift drive calling on KISD schools and departments to donate new toys for students in the KISD homeless and foster care programs.
Every year, the effort brings in more gifts and fills a larger room at the KISD Jackson Professional Learning Center.
It happened again.
In addition to all the campuses that gave, including large donations from Live Oak Ridge Middle School and the Chaparral High School National Honor Society, the Fort Cavazos Directorate of Emergency Services, Ten Ninety-Five Apparel, the 61st Quartermaster Battalion and Heart O’ Texas Federal Credit Union made significant contributions.
“We try to give a better Christmas for children who are really encountering tough times,” said KISD Police Chief Erik Hydorn.
“During this time of giving, it’s good to be able to provide this level of support. This time of year is the most important time for me personally to give back to the community.”
Every donation helps, and it all goes to the best of causes, said KISD Director of Federal Programs Christianne Shinn. She has gratefully accepted the annual Blue Santa donations for the past four years.
Like Santa, those involved in this year’s gift giving in KISD continue to make their list and check it lots of times.
On Monday, when the police officers delivered their last official donation from campuses, about 300 families were set to pick up gifts for their children the next few days. That number will likely rise to 500 by the end of the week.
The KISD Homeless Awareness and Response Program (HARP) includes about 600 students, and the foster care program includes another 175.
Numerous churches, fraternities, sororities and other groups help with drives for families connected to state and federal assistance programs. School leaders identify other families in need as well.
“It’s a huge blessing,” Shinn said of the community support.
“Families pick the gifts themselves. That is so important to them. They can wrap it and give it to their child. They are so thankful and want to know ‘Who can I thank?’ It’s a different way of empowering our community.”
“I’m always so impressed with how our community comes through,” she said. “They always respond when we ask.”
Photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720322606906