Local law enforcement agencies give back


Children scrambled to greet Santa when he arrived, eager to see what he brought them for Christmas. PLEASANTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Children scrambled to greet Santa when he arrived, eager to see what he brought them for Christmas. PLEASANTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Local law enforcement agencies held their respective toy drive programs this year for children of the Pleasanton, Jourdanton and Poteet communities serving over 500 children who received Christmas gifts.

Pleasanton PD Blue Santa

The 6th Annual Pleasanton Police Department Blue Santa was a resounding success. Because of the caring nature of our citizens and volunteers, we were able to provide Christmas gifts to approximately 200 children within our community. We would like to extend our gratitude to AirLife of San Antonio for volunteering to fly in Blue Santa. Toy distribution was held on Friday, Dec. 14 at the new Pleasanton Fire Department and families receiving gifts were treated to a party that included refreshments, games, face painting, etc.

We would especially like to thank the following businesses and organizations for their continued support of the Pleasanton Police Department Blue Santa program: HEB, El Castillo Mexican Restaurant, EZ Max Loans, UPS, AirLife, Brush Country Baseball/Softball League, Lions Club, Reguladores Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Pleasanton VFW, Luxury Nails and Spa, Lillian Cashmer Insurance and the Pleasanton Slam Dunk Basketball Club.

Jourdanton PD Cpl. Tim Sawicki, Chief Eric Kaiser, Sgt. Mari Kaufman, Santa, Officer Amelia Camacho, Sgt. Smitty Gonzales and Lt. Santos Gonzales at the Jourdanton Cops4Kids event on Saturday, Dec. 14. JOURDANTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Jourdanton PD Cpl. Tim Sawicki, Chief Eric Kaiser, Sgt. Mari Kaufman, Santa, Officer Amelia Camacho, Sgt. Smitty Gonzales and Lt. Santos Gonzales at the Jourdanton Cops4Kids event on Saturday, Dec. 14. JOURDANTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

We would also like to thank the countless citizens and private donors who helped us make Christmas a little brighter for several families. The Pleasanton Police Department is very grateful for everyone’s help.

Jourdanton PD Cops4Kids

The 3rd Annual Jourdanton Police Department Cops4Kids was amazing! The number of kids served grew over 100 percent from last year’s event.

After leaving his reindeer to graze at a nearby ranch, Santa arrived by police car on Saturday, Dec. 15. Over 100 children left with a new bicycle and EVERYONE left with gifts from Santa and a full belly after eating a meal from Chile Bandera.

This event would not be possible without the incredible support that the public gave us. In fact, we sent a letter to the Grinch informing him that no tax dollars were used to facilitate this event.

The Poteet Police Department was on hand for their annual Poteet Blue Santa event at Poteet Canyon Park. Pictured left to right are: Sgt. Butler, M. Segura, M. Sanchez, M. Steinort, Blue Santa, Chief Hickman, Jennifer Hickman, Yvonne Mejia, A. Lara, R. Maldonado and A. Gonzalez. LISA LUNA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

The Poteet Police Department was on hand for their annual Poteet Blue Santa event at Poteet Canyon Park. Pictured left to right are: Sgt. Butler, M. Segura, M. Sanchez, M. Steinort, Blue Santa, Chief Hickman, Jennifer Hickman, Yvonne Mejia, A. Lara, R. Maldonado and A. Gonzalez. LISA LUNA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

Among the countless donors that put toys in our donation boxes, these groups stepped up financially and with their time to make our local youth have a Christmas that they will never forget:

Pleasanton Lion’s Club, Jourdanton Chamber of Commerce, Barbara Peeler and Family, “Spread Kindess for M&T”, Cowboy Fellowship Church, “Reguladores” Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Walmart, J&M Premier Inc., Chile Bandera Restaurant, Jourdanton ISD faculty and students, Atascosa County Adult Probation Office and Wes DeVilbiss and R360 Inc.

We also want to recognize First Commercial Bank, the Pleasanton High School softball team, Jourdanton ISD Exchange students, Jourdanton High School student volunteers and Councilwoman Karen Pesek, for their expert gift wrapping skills.

Thank you to the Jourdanton VFW Post 4853 for donating their facility.

Children enjoy the bikes they were given during the Cops4Kids event. JOURDANTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Children enjoy the bikes they were given during the Cops4Kids event. JOURDANTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

And while every JPD officer assisted in this endeavor, it would not have happened if not for the dedication of Sgt. Investigator Mari Kaufman and School Resource Officer Amelia Camacho. They exemplify “the heart behind the badge.”

We are already planning for a bigger and better Cops4Kids in 2019! Get ready!

Poteet PD Blue Santa

Poteet Blue Santa was held on Saturday, Dec. 15 at Poteet Canyon Park where more than 200 children in the Poteet community were blessed with a Christmas gift this year.

The Poteet Police Association and Department would like to give a very heartfelt thank you to all of the individuals, organizations and businesses who participated in wrapping gifts, donating time, donating gifts, giving out refreshments and/or giving monetarily for the 2018 Poteet Blue Santa Program: Bernardino Peña Vargas, Blanco Creek Farms, Christian Assistance Ministries, City of Poteet, Dairy Queen Poteet, Dollar General, Eric & Roxanne Jiminez, First United Methodist Church Poteet, First Baptist Church Poteet, Garcia Strawberry Farms, Hosanna Baptist Church, Oscar & Diana Sacristie, Poteet 4H, Poteet ISD, Reguladores LEMC – Atascosa Heat Chapter, Rene & Margie Martinez, Resurrected Life Church, St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church and Walmart in Pleasanton.

A crowd of children gather around Blue Santa in Pleasanton. PLEASANTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

A crowd of children gather around Blue Santa in Pleasanton. PLEASANTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

This wonderful occasion would not have been possible without the helping hands and giving hearts of each and every person involved.

“We are humbled by the amount of help we received and honored to be able to give to our community and look forward to doing it again next year. Thank you once again and God Bless,” Jennifer Hickman, Poteet Police Association President.

Blue Santa arrives in style in a red 1957 Chevy Bel Air driven by Rene Martinez at Poteet Canyon Park on Dec. 15. BRUCE MELCHER

Blue Santa arrives in style in a red 1957 Chevy Bel Air driven by Rene Martinez at Poteet Canyon Park on Dec. 15. BRUCE MELCHER

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