Saturday, November 15, 2008

Santa teams with Belen Police for annual toy drive

Clara Garcia News-Bulletin Staff Writer; cgarcia@news-bulletin.com

Belen Santa Claus has been in close contact with the Belen Police Department and has relayed a message saying that he's very excited about meeting a lot of little boys and girls this year.

Belen Police Detective Sgt. Joe Portio said the department is gearing up for its annual Toys for Tots drive and hopes that the public can find it in their hearts to donate to the program. Each year, the police department teams with Santa to give toys to needy families in Belen to help make sure that they have a good Christmas.

Portio said this last year, more than 200 children were given gifts and he expects even more this year.

"With the growth of not just Valencia County, but in Belen, we're expecting between 200 to 300 kids this year," Portio said.

While other programs ask for donations of both toys and money, the Belen Police Department's Toys for Tots program is soliciting just new toys. Portio said they won't turn away cash donations, but he's hoping that people will buy a gift for children from newborn to age 13 when they're out doing their annual Christmas shopping.

Portio said the program will take some used items, but prefers if someone does decide to donate a used gift that it would be a stuffed animal for Santa to hand to the children along with their gift.

"We usually have a mountain of stuffed animals where children can grab from," the detective said. "They really like that, and Santa likes doing it — he likes giving stuff away."

This year, Portio said, Belen Chamber of Commerce members have been very generous with their time and energy by promoting the local Toys for Tots program. He said chamber member Charlie Anderson has orchestrated some of the meetings and has been getting in contact with several local businesses to help.

"He's been extremely instrumental in getting this thing organized this year," Portio said. "He's been the voice for us with the chamber. In fact, before one of the meetings, Anderson asked chamber members who were attending the meeting to bring a new toy and a canned food."

The canned food is being donated to the Valencia Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence and other food bank programs.

Portio, along with other Toys for Tots organizers in the county, believes that this year is vital to helping children and families because of the nation's economic crisis. Not only does he believe that more families are in need, there may be a slump in the number of donations.

Several businesses in Belen, as well as the police department, will have boxes in front or inside their buildings where people can drop off toys. The Belen Police Department will open its doors on the night of Nov. 29, after the annual Christmas Light Parade, for people to drop off toys and to sign up for the gift giveaway.

Forms for families to sign up will become available starting on Monday, Nov. 17. The deadline is Monday, Dec. 15.

Santa will then ride into town at noon on Friday, Dec. 19, with his elves and possibly Mrs. Claus.

"He's already sent an e-mail and said he'll be here," Portio said. "I just really appreciate everyone's help, and I hope this will be one of our best years ever."

To donate to the Belen Police Department's Toys for Tots program, call the department at 864-6288 or drop donations at the station located on Becker Avenue.

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