Organizations Spread Christmas Cheer In Greater Houston

Christmas can be a bleak and depressing time for some families who don't have the means for basic items, or individuals who have no one to turn to when times are tough. However, there are a number of organizations that routinely step up to help the less fortunate in their communities, and bring smiles during the holiday season.

Many of those are police, firefighter and first responders in communities all over the Houston area, which just goes to show that Santa Claus doesn't always wear a red suit.

Here are a few in your community:

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office: Operation Blue Elf: The program has proved successful in only it's second year of existence. With the help of organizations all over Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office collected toys and financial assistance to provide toys and gifts to needy families. The identified families will receive their gifts at Santa's Wonderland this week.

Tomball Police Department: Shop with a Cop: This annual program designed to help the neediest of children, has been part of the Tomball Police Department's holiday giving for almost 20 years. The program is done in partnership with the Tomball Independent School District who identifies the kids who are taken on a shopping spree at Walmart.

Houston Police: This is a busy season for the Houston Police Department. The department wrapped up it's 33rd Annual Comida Food Drive last week to distribute food boxes to needy families through local church organizations, as well as the annual Toys For Kids toy drive.

HPD Comida/Food Drive Distribution https://t.co/aBvIPrNcDw
— Chief Art Acevedo (@ArtAcevedo) December 15, 2018

The Houston Fire Department: While they are fighting fires, the Houston Fire Department are also working hard this time of year on their annual Operation Stocking Stuffer campaign. The program wrapped up the 2018 season on Monday and will have gifts for more than 1,900 kids this Christmas season. HFD took in donations for new toys that were wrapped and dropped off at various locations in Houston.

The Spring Fire Department: Each year, the Spring Fire Department partners with other local organizations to collect new toys for the annual Toys 4 Tots drive in time for Christmas. Last weekend, firefighters helped wrap and bag up hundreds of toys for needy children in the area. The department also hosted a Christmas party for local Army reservists and their families last weekend at Fire Station 70.

Pasadena Police Department: Officer Santa Program: For 32 years, the Pasadena Police Department has hosted the Officer Santa Program to brighten the holiday season for families in need. This program has helped thousands of children and their families over the years. This year, PPD put a new spin on the program and paired children with a police officer. The kids and cops all had a blast.

Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office: Kids And Cops Program: Fort Bend County Kids & Cops, Inc. is a non-profit organization made up of deputies from the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office. Each year, toys are collected to help those needy children in Fort Bend County. Those toys are distributed during the Santa Claus is coming to Fort Bend County initiative, which will be held this week.

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