Marivel Deleon photo
Blue Santa (James Brown) is flanked by a couple of elves, Alicia Hinojosa, 10, on left, and Dale Barnes, right, during the 2012 Blue Santa Run to distribute toys and food to children in Three Rivers on Friday, Dec. 21.
Marivel Deleon photo
Blue Santa (James Brown) hands out gifts to children in Three Rivers on Friday, Dec. 21.
Lynda Lopez photo
Young fans from the Boys and Girls Club in Three Rivers mob Blue Santa during his visit on Friday, Dec. 21. Members of the Reguladores watch in the background.
The Choke Canyon Chapter of the Reguladores Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, or LEMC, in conjunction with the Three Rivers Police Department conducted “The Blue Santa Run 2012.”
The two organizations collaborated to gather gifts and donations for chosen families.
“This year, we are delivering gifts and full meals to 23 children and their families,” said Maria Hinojosa, spokesman for the Choke Canyon Chapter of the Reguladores.
Hinojosa outlined the Blue Santa philosophy:
“All children deserve to smile on Christmas day. Christmas is one time during the year where the focus is on giving, with emphasis on the excitement in the child's eye as he or she unwraps a present that is just for them.
“In the course of police officers’ routine work, we often encounter children in circumstances and environments that are heartbreaking. Many of the children who police interact with only know Christmas as nothing more than a school holiday.
“Many families must choose between gifts and basic utility needs, leaving little resources for presents at Christmas time. Regardless of the whys, all children deserve presents at Christmas.”
Hinojosa said the Three Rivers and neighboring communities, as well as businesses – new and old – in Three Rivers should be thanked.
“Without their support, our Blue Santa toy run would not have been possible,” she added.
See the Blue Santa video at mySouTex.com.
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