Santa Red, Blue brings joy to those in need

By Melissa McCaghren

Slatonite GM

COVID-19 tried to be the Grinch that stole Christmas.

That said, even the Grinch – along with 75 volunteers chose to tell that virus “no” and deliver food, toys and other items to families in need and the homebound Saturday morning (Dec. 19) during the annual Santa Red & Blue.

A total of 100 deliveries – 65 families and 35 homebound – were made.

Slaton Chief of Police Trevor Barnes said there had been a fight to have the event conducted this year due to COVID. “I have been fighting (for) this program since March whether we were going to do it or not. Everybody asked me, ‘How can you do this program?’,” he said.

“My answer is always what? – ‘How can you not do this program?’ We’re going to continue to do it no matter what.”

Barnes added he worked with many groups in order to have them agree to conduct the program. “We had to sanitize everything,” he said adding the solution was approved by medical professionals. “We have done our very, very best to sanitize all the food, everything that goes to every family.”