The Austin Police Department’s Operation Blue Santa Program started back in 1972 when a couple of APD patrol officers discovered that some families in their district did not have gifts or food for their children at Christmas. The program began with two officers distributing gifts to about 20 families from the back of a patrol car. It has now evolved into a year round operation that gathers toys and food for over 5788 families. The Police Department’s Office of Community along with a multitude of partners from local government, private sector, schools, non profits and individual citizens work diligently to make Operation Blue Santa what it is today.  

Delivery Day is the culmination of this massive effort to provide a little help during the Christmas season for families in our community who are in need. On this day, volunteers from all over Austin gather at Blue Santa Headquarters and the North and South police substations to pick up and deliver the pepared packages for each sponsored family. For more information about the Austin Police Operation Blue Santa Program, please contact Yolanda Buchman by phone, (512) 974-4738 or email.