Santa Red, Blue delivers Christmas cheer to 109 families, homebound

By Melissa McCaghren

Slatonite GM

A total of 109 families and homebound were given a brighter Christmas when 85 volunteers brought food, toys and warmth to them Saturday morning (Dec. 17) during the annual Santa Red & Blue delivery.

Chief of Police Trevor Barnes said more than 300 children received Christmas toys in those families.

“There’s 109 families today, over 300 children we’re serving today,” he said.

Volunteers gathered earlier in the morning to load up the trucks with dry and frozen boxes of food, turkeys, ham, potatoes, gifts and treats. Earlier in the week Slaton High School dual credit students sorted, bagged and boxed the items for distribution.

Barnes, who has lead the event for 14 years, said it was more than the delivery of items.

“Spend a minute with the families guys – families, elderly, whatever it is the people that are applying, they had to meet some criteria for us,” he said. “They told us they are in need. You may be the only face they will see for Christmas. You may be the only person they speak to that tells them ‘Merry Christmas’. It is OK to spend some time with them.”

For more information, please read the Thursday edition of The Slatonite.