This article was originally published in The Examiner on Dec. 28, 2017.
By Eleanor Skelton
Staff Writer
After going through some of the worst of Tropical Storm Harvey’s unprecedented flooding, the Port Arthur Police Department tried to bring a little Christmas cheer to families with their Blue Santa program Friday, Dec. 22.
A long line formed outside The Department Club on Lakeshore Drive near Lamar State College-Port Arthur where Port Arthur Police Department officers and volunteers were
handing out gifts inside. A volunteer stood outside, letting in just a few families at a time.
Some of the families were leaving with tears of joy, but the kids rolling away on brand new bicycles were grinning from ear to ear.
Detective Jonathan Green said that the Port Arthur Police Department received about 200 applications this year, averaging three to four children on each application — about 600 kids total.
“What makes this thing work is the volunteers and the donors,” Green said.
Port Arthur Police Detective Mike Hebert said this is the department’s 24th year doing Blue Santa.
“This year was very difficult for us and our citizens,” Hebert said, adding that many applications this time showed dire need. “This was much more serious of a Blue Santa.”
He said that there’s not really a way to find closure after the floods, but he said he thinks that holiday festivities can help heal a community.
Hebert said he enjoys events like this.
“We get to be peace officers tonight — no violence, disturbances, wrecks,” he said. “We love it.”
Chief Patrick Melvin called Blue Santa an “awesome program.”
“It’s great that we can be a part of so many smiles,” Melvin said. “This is a year that Blue Santa is touching so many more hearts.”
Eleanor Skelton 