La Salle’s Officer Santa program brings Christmas to more than 100 kids

La Salle’s Officer Santa program is in its 10th year with no intention of slowing down; as more than 100 children and 40 families will be receiving gifts through the program this year.

“We have been fortunate enough to have delivered holiday cheer to hundreds of children during that time,” said Mckenzie Smith, a records clerk with the La Salle Police Department. “[It’s] an important program because it gives La Salle police officers an opportunity to interact with families in our community in one of the most positive ways imaginable.”

​​Officer Santa was established to provide children with items such as toys, coats, shoes, pajamas and anything essential.

Families that participate in the program provide officers with lists of needs and wants. The volunteering officers then go shopping and pick out items from the list with the group doing its best to ensure the gifts bought for the children include items they need and items they want.

Smith said on gifts alone, they are spending $16,200, however, the amount does not reflect what was spent on supplies needed to wrap the gifts or grocery gift cards given to each family.

She said a few memorable moments from this year included, the organization receiving a large donation of superhero action figures from the Tonica Methodist Church and having toys donated in toy drives organized by Eureka Savings Bank and Midwest Mane Co.

“We hope to make a difference during a time of year that is felt the most,” she said. “To quote Charles Dickens, ‘No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else.’”

“That’s what we’ve hoped to do these past 10 years, and hopefully will continue to do so.”

Officer Santa will be delivering beginning 11 a.m. this Saturday.

All donations can be dropped off at the police department. Checks can be written out to the La Salle Police Department, 745 Second St., with Officer Santa in the memo. Officer Santa also accepts donations of wrapping paper, tape and gift tags.