Local News
Vidor Blue Santa coming up short as deadline looms
VIDOR — With only a week left before the toy distribution begins, the Vidor Police Department’s Blue Santa program is still short on gifts.
The Vidor Police Department’s Blue Santa program will conduct its annual toy giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 12 at Vidor Municipal Court. Unfortunately, the program is no where near where it had hoped to be at this time.
According to Sgt. Aleta Cappen of the Vidor Police Department, a record number of families and children registered prior to the deadline for assistance this Christmas.
“We have nearly double the amount of children signed up to receive toys this year compared to last year,” Cappen said. “We have over 200 families and more than 460 children. We haven’t had that many people sign up in years, even after Hurricane Rita.”
In 2008, after Hurricane Ike, the program helped approximately 260 children across the Vidor area, but few expected such an increase in the numbers of families and children in need of Christmas help this year.
“We knew there would be more people seeking help than last year, but we had no idea it would be this many,” Cappen added.
Sadly, Cappen said toy and cash donations have been arriving much more slowly than expected.
“We’re not even close to having the amount of toys we need to help all of these children,” she explained. “What we have received is not even one-fourth of what we need so far. It’s that bad.”
Gift donations, as well as cash donations, are still being accepted through the end of the day on Dec. 11. Popular items being sought include music CD’s for older children and various electronics. Video games remain popular as do various actions figures such as Star Wars, Transformers, Batman and girls items like Barbie dolls and My Little Pony.
However, probably the easiest assistance any person can give to the Vidor Police Department Blue Santa program is money.
By making a cash donation, Blue Santa representatives will be able to purchase much needed items which have been placed on “wish lists” but have not be obtained yet.
“We are still taking donations, and it doesn’t matter if it is a toy or cash,” Cappen said. “One is as good as the other at this point.”
Toy donation drop-off points include Pine Forest City Hall, 305 Nagel St. and at Mid-South Bank, 1384 N. Main St. in Vidor during normal business hours. The Vidor Police Department, located 695 E. Railroad, accepts toy donations anytime, day or night. Cash donations may also be given at the Vidor Police Department at any time.
“We know things are tight for a lot of people this year,” Cappen added. “But we are hoping people will find a way to help us help these children. It’s wide open as to what people can donate as far as toys or money. We just need presents for these kids. It’s that simple.”
- Local News
-
-
FridayNightCentral.com provides full football action
The Orange Leader proudly displayed for the first time FridayNightCentral.com last week and is welcoming all football visitors.
-
Gas prices down just in time for Labor Day
The cost of gasoline dropped 3 cents this week in Texas as motorists prepare to hit the road for the Labor Day holiday weekend.
-
Gulf oil platform explodes, burning off La. coast
An offshore petroleum platform exploded and was burning Thursday in the Gulf of Mexico about 80 miles off the Louisiana coast, west of the site where BP's undersea well spilled after a rig explosion.
-
Vidor restricts use of K2
Vidor has joined the growing list of cities restricting or banning the K2 incense.
-
Company ends enterprise contract
A plastics compounding company with operations in Orange has canceled its state job creation contract.
-
OISD approves budget, tax rate, pay increase
The Orangefield Independent School District approved its proposed budget for the coming school year and its new tax rate during Monday’s school board meeting.
-
Closings reported for Monday
The extended holiday weekend is upon us and the majority of non-essential government offices will be closed in observance of Labor Day, which is Monday.
-
I-10 closure means more traffic in BC
Traffic always seems to back up on Texas Avenue in Bridge City during rush hours and when school lets out.
-
One injured Monday in school bus wreck
Heavy storms and a flooded roadway may have contributed to a school bus running off the road into a ditch Monday afternoon and injuring one student.
-
WO-C CISD approves pay increase for some employees
Despite looking at a deficit budget, the Board of Trustees approved a pay raise for district employees.
- More Local News Headlines
-
FridayNightCentral.com provides full football action
