Shreveport Organization Kicks Off 40 Years of Gift Giving
In 1984, Shreveport radio station KWKH teamed with public safety agencies to form a 501(c)(3) charity organization to help provide gifts to those in need across the area. The plan was pretty simple, radio spreads the word, the whole program collects the toys, and the, Shreveport Police and Shreveport Fire deliver the toys. This has continued and Operation Santa Claus is going strong 40 years later.
This year Calvin Baker with Shreveport Fire Department celebrated some special people who have continued to make Operation Santa Claus a success. For an organization to continue for 40 years you really need some amazing people to make it happen. Shreveport's Mayor Tom Arceneaux, Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese, and Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith all attended Operation Santa Claus' 40th Kickoff.
Children from a local school were able to see Santa Claus show up in a fire truck with police escort and they got to visit Santa's workshop and they even got to tell the jolly man what they wanted for Christmas.
But it feels like the need in the community grows every year, meaning more and more toys and gifts are needed. Through generous donations around the community, Operation Santa Claus can continue to make a difference.
Every year, the biggest request from the children is bicycles. Bikes of all shapes and sizes. From training wheels to mountain bikes for teenagers, bikes are always needed.
That doesn't necessarily mean you need to deliver a bike to an Operation Santa Claus location. Shreveport Police Officers and Shreveport Firefighters will be live at multiple donation stops throughout the season to collect monetary donations. They will be able to use these donations to purchase bikes in bulk, likely getting a better deal than individuals can get on their own.
Here are the dates and locations where you can join Operation Santa Claus this year to make a donation:
Dec. 3 - 7AM-9AM Brookshire’s @ 9250 Mansfield Rd and Bert Kouns (Shreveport)
Dec. 4 - Heroes and Helpers @ 4PM - 9PM Target (Youree Drive)
Dec. 5 - 7AM-9AM Brookshire’s @ 3000 N. Market St. and Ravendale (Shreveport)
Dec. 7 - 1PM Ladies Golf Club Association Toy Donation Party Northwood Golf Club
Dec. 10 - 7AM-9AM Brookshire’s @ 5828 Line Av and Pierremont (Shreveport)
Dec. 12 - 7AM-9AM Brookshire’s @ 1125 Hwy 80 E (Haughton)
Dec. 14 - 11AM - 1PM Bailey’s Fine Jewelers (Bossier City) LIVE REMOTE
Dec. 14 - 9AM-2PM NW LACar Club “Santa Fun Run” 6140 Greenwood Road 71119
Dec. 14 - 2PM-4PM @ Avalon Hair Studio 3730 Youree Dr. 71105 LIVE REMOTE
Dec. 16 - Krewe of Gemini Toy Donation 6PM
Dec. 10 - North Shreveport Business Assoc. Luncheon 11:30AM-1:00PM
Dec. 11 - 7AM-9AM LSUS One University PL, 71115 LIVE REMOTE
Dec. 16 - 7AM - 9AM Batteries Plus Bulbs 7230 Youree Drive Suite LIVE REMOTE
Dec. 11 - 9AM Shriner’s Hospital for the “Barney Cannon Smile Run”
Dec. 12 - 6PM Downtown Christmas 5k Run Toy Drop Off
Dec. 13 - Last day to drop off gifts for sponsored children
Dec. 19 - 6PM Boys Scout Volunteer Event Santa’s North Pole
Dec. 13 - 5PM Shop with a Police Officer Walmart Mansfield Road
Dec. 18th, 19th, and 20th Toy Deliveries by SFD Firefighters and SPD Officers
Between December 2nd and December 13th, you can drop off any donation at your local Bonvenu Bank location.
Please take a moment this season to donate to Operation Santa Claus. That doesn't only include making a donation; you can donate your time, effort, and social media posts as well. Something like sharing posts about Operation Santa Claus on your Facebook, Instagram, or in a text to your friends means a lot too.