Conroe Courier - News
Blue Santa spreads cheer to county children
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| A blue-clad Santa Claus arrives to an appreciative audience at Conroe’s Incredible Pizza Company Saturday morning to bring toys to 26 underprivileged children in the county. |
By Elliott Cochran
Law enforcement motorcycle groups came together last weekend to battle the holiday blues and provide some Christmas cheer to many families.
The Blue Knights of Texas Chapter 33 Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club provided gifts to 26 underprivileged children during the second annual Blue Santa Program Saturday morning at Conroe’s Incredible Pizza Company.
Los Carnales & La Familia and Reguladores Law Enforcement motorcycle clubs, as well as the Houston Police Department and county constables, assisted in giving these families in Child Protective Services a Christmas to remember.
“It’s a wonderful feeling giving to these kids, and I enjoy it very much,” a jovial Ray Wilkins, president of the Blue Knights of Texas Chapter 33 Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club said. “Everyone in law enforcement wants to give back ten-fold, and we want to bring some happiness into these kids’ lives.”
Each of the 26 children received $110 worth of gifts from their wish list and a bicycle or scooter from Montgomery County Precinct 2 Constable Gene Deforest and the Houston Police Department.
The Blue Santa group also has dealt with tragedies over the past couple of years. Last year’s event was dedicated to CPS worker Terry Lee, who played an integral role in the inaugural event. She was murdered by her boyfriend before she could enjoy the success of her work.
This year’s event was dedicated to Joe Cranfill, a Conroe police officer killed in a motorcycle accident a month after participating in last year’s event. The crash left his wife Kassi with debilitating injuries.
Wilkins said the memory of those lost is alive throughout the program that the two loved.
Conroe’s Incredible Pizza Company opened its doors before business hours to host the event and provided participants with a $10 games card, passes to play glow-in-the-dark miniature golf and a free lunch.
Managing Partner Mario Valadez said the establishment is proud to support the program, which emphasizes the same family values as the restaurant.
“Last year when the Blue Knights came to us, we thought this would be a great opportunity to get families together and build a lifelong partnership with these guys,” Valadez said. “I think it’s going to be a great relationship, and we have so many opportunities to touch families’ lives.”
For more information or to make a donation to the 2009 Blue Santa Program, visit http://www.blueknightstx33.org.
The Blue Knights of Texas Chapter 33 Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club provided gifts to 26 underprivileged children during the second annual Blue Santa Program Saturday morning at Conroe’s Incredible Pizza Company.
Los Carnales & La Familia and Reguladores Law Enforcement motorcycle clubs, as well as the Houston Police Department and county constables, assisted in giving these families in Child Protective Services a Christmas to remember.
“It’s a wonderful feeling giving to these kids, and I enjoy it very much,” a jovial Ray Wilkins, president of the Blue Knights of Texas Chapter 33 Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club said. “Everyone in law enforcement wants to give back ten-fold, and we want to bring some happiness into these kids’ lives.”
Each of the 26 children received $110 worth of gifts from their wish list and a bicycle or scooter from Montgomery County Precinct 2 Constable Gene Deforest and the Houston Police Department.
The Blue Santa group also has dealt with tragedies over the past couple of years. Last year’s event was dedicated to CPS worker Terry Lee, who played an integral role in the inaugural event. She was murdered by her boyfriend before she could enjoy the success of her work.
This year’s event was dedicated to Joe Cranfill, a Conroe police officer killed in a motorcycle accident a month after participating in last year’s event. The crash left his wife Kassi with debilitating injuries.
Wilkins said the memory of those lost is alive throughout the program that the two loved.
Conroe’s Incredible Pizza Company opened its doors before business hours to host the event and provided participants with a $10 games card, passes to play glow-in-the-dark miniature golf and a free lunch.
Managing Partner Mario Valadez said the establishment is proud to support the program, which emphasizes the same family values as the restaurant.
“Last year when the Blue Knights came to us, we thought this would be a great opportunity to get families together and build a lifelong partnership with these guys,” Valadez said. “I think it’s going to be a great relationship, and we have so many opportunities to touch families’ lives.”
For more information or to make a donation to the 2009 Blue Santa Program, visit http://www.blueknightstx33.org.
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