The Turlock Police Department is seeking holiday helpers to make sure their annual Operation Blue Santa program is a success.

Every year, Turlock Police delivers Christmas cheer to families in need of some good tidings. Operation Blue Santa began in 2012. The program is designed to reduce crime during the holidays and strengthen police/community relationships, while providing toys and other items to those in need.

Police officers and Blue Santa visit with community members to provide information on personal safety, identity theft, senior safety and other crime prevention topics.

The children who benefit from Operation Blue Santa are referred to the department through various means and the families are contacted in advance to get a better idea of what the children need and want.  Last season Operation Blue Santa visited approximately 50 families and provided toys to about 150 children.

The police department will be accepting donations for the program over the next several weeks. Those wishing to participate can drop off monetary donations, new, unwrapped toys (no weapon-type toys, please), blue wrapping paper and stocking stuffers to the Turlock Public Safety Facility at 244 N. Broadway. Volunteers can also sponsor a family and help with wrapping presents.

For more information on Operation Blue Santa and how you can help, contact Crime Prevention Specialist Michelle Balacek at bluesanta@turlock.ca.us or at 209-656-3153.