Blue Santa to kick off toy drive, open applications starting November 21
By BRITTANY FHOLER
Cove Leader-Press
The Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce will be having a Business After Hours Mixer for Chamber members at the Blue Santa headquarters at 212 Cove Terrace Shopping Center on Thursday, November 14, starting at 5:30 p.m.
Guests are encouraged to bring a toy donation to kick off the annual Blue Santa toy drive this season.
People can donate any toy for kids ages 0 to 15, but Blue Santa of Copperas Cove President Vesna Codougan encouraged people to think about the older kids more and how they don’t like toys as much as the younger children do.
“Usually we have a lot of problems getting stuff for the teens,” Codougan said. She mentioned that they normally give the teens fragrance sets and other non-toy items.
Blue Santa of Copperas Cove is part of the national Blue Santa program. It is a 501c3 non-profit organization. The goal for the Blue Santa program is to help families in need by providing Christmas presents to children 15 years of age and under.
Any family with children receiving government assistance, whether in the form of TANF, food stamps, Social Security Income, Medicaid or WIC, is eligible to fill out an application. Applications must be filled out at the Blue Santa office on Thursday, November 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, November 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m..; and Saturday, November 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The last day for applications will be Monday, December 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Applicants must show proof of residency of the Copperas Cove area and proof of assistance.
At the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce mixer last Thursday hosted by Blue Santa, members brought toy donations and also collected boxes for donations at their business. Other locations with a Blue Santa box will include the Copperas Cove Police Department, the Copperas Cove Fire Department, the Copperas Cove Public Library and the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce and Visitors’ Bureau.
There will also be an island breakfast fundraiser hosted by the Samoan Congregational Christian Church, located at 3701 Stan Schlueter Loop in Killeen on November 23, starting at 8 a.m. until 11 a.m.
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