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It's almost time for Operation Blue Santa - here's how you can help

Since 2007, the San Angelo Coalition of Police has helped 450 children have a brighter Christmas with its Operation Blue Santa.

SAN ANGELO, Texas — Since 2007, the San Angelo Coalition of Police has helped children in San Angelo have a brighter Christmas with the Operation Blue Santa program.

As of 2018, 450 children have benefited from the program and had a Christmas they may not have had without the help. Additionally, in 2018, 40 children were sponsored through the program.

Each year, the San Angelo Independent School District is contacted by SACOP and asked to make the selections of students most in need. On the day of the event, those students meet officers at the Walmart Supercenter on 29th Street, and have an opportunity to "shop with a cop."

"It's humbling. We get a lot of laughs, a lot of smiles from the kids," Officer Raymond Francis, project coordinator, said. "It lets the police department reach back out to the community and shows that all we want to do is help and take care of our community."

This year, the officers will be assisted by Goodfellow Air Force Base Security Forces during the shopping event. Children from GAFB will participate, as well.

Here's how you can help the program continue to serve children in San Angelo. Checks and money orders can be sent to:

S.A.C.O.P.

Attn: Operation Blue Santa

P.O. Box 804

San Angelo, Texas 76902

Or, donations (check or money order) can be dropped off at the FOX West Texas studios at 5 S. Chadbourne St., by Thursday, Dec. 12. 

For more information, contact coordinator Officer Raymond Francis at raymond.francis@sanangelopolice.org.

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