The Venice Police Department made Christmas merry for more than a 100 families in the Venice Community.
Their Blue Santa Community Outreach started several months ago with packets given to local school guidance counselors, asking for the names of families facing extra ordinary challenges.
The families were contacted by the police and discussions started about toys, services and overall help to make holidays and family lives better.
More than 100 families were chosen.
The Venice Community Spirit kicked in. Organizations, businesses, clubs, nonprofits and individuals donated toys and gift cards and cash. The Blue Santa Police were able to provide needs and food to make sure hurricanes and family crises took a back seat to kindness and love.
The police family and their own families matched needs with people. They collected toys and donations and sorted and categorized it all. They made arrangements for pickup and delivery.
They wanted to make sure children knew the toys came from the North Pole, not the Venice Police Department.