Cove Blue Santa opens for applications Nov. 12
By BRITTANY FHOLER
Cove Leader-Press
The Cove Blue Santa program will begin accepting applications for families in need starting this Saturday, November 12. The program is for children ages 15 and under.
Cove Blue Santa has historically received around 200 to 250 applications each year, serving close to 600 children.
This year marks 23 years of the Cove Blue Santa program helping make the Christmas season brighter for needy families.
“It just makes us feel good to be able to assist people and know that we can help them give their child a better Christmas by assisting them some,” said Kathy McCain, with the Cove Blue Santa organization. “Of course, especially now, with the increases of prices that we have, it's even more important now, for a lot of families, that they have something to fall back on. Some families are very stressed out about being able to do something for their kids, and they just don't have that extra money, so it just makes us feel good to be able to help our community.”
Donation collection bins have been set up at local businesses around town to include: the Quine & Associates Management Office in Suite 200 of the Cove Terrace Shopping Center, The Healthy Hub in Suite 258, First Texas Bank, the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce, the Copperas Cove Police Department, the Copperas Cove Public Library, the Copperas Cove Building and Permits office, Integrity Rehab, Hills of Cove Golf Course, Cinergy Cinemas, Burkes Outlet, Armadillo Properties, Lil’ Tex Restaurant, and the Dollar General store on F.M. 2657.
Monetary donations can also be mailed to: Cove Blue Santa at PO Box 622 Copperas Cove, TX 76522.
Donations will be collected through Monday, Dec. 5, and toys will be distributed to families on Dec. 9, 2022.
Families in need must submit applications in person at the Cove Blue Santa office, located in a new office space at 338 Cove Terrace Shopping Center, during the following days and times:
Saturday, November 12- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, November 16- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, November 18- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Monday, November 28- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, November 29- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Monday, December 5- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Applicants must bring a photo ID of the person who is filling out the application. This person must be the primary custodian of the child/children. Proof of residency is also required. This is open to Copperas Cove residents, as well as residents of the Pidcoke area. Examples of proof of residency include a bill in the applicant’s name, a copy of a current lease (within one year), a Medicaid or food stamp award/authorization letter with the applicant’s address. If the applicant is living with a relative or other person, the owner/head of household needs to write a statement saying so. Applicants must also bring proof of their relationship to the child, which can include the previously mentioned Medicaid or food stamp documents, guardianship or other court documents, or a school report card that shows the address. A birth certificate or Social Security Card will not be accepted as proof of custody.
For more information, contact Cove Blue Santa at covebluesanta@gmail.com or visit their social media page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064778015906.