.jpg)
The Colorado County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Santa program served a record number of 207 kids this year, supported by donations from community members, Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Colorado County Fairgrounds.
The program normally focuses its holiday cheer on children ages four through 12 but also gifted children outside of that age range due to not reaching the program’s max capacity of 300. The children and their families gathered for an afternoon of engaging games, warm food and hot chocolate, cheerful Santa photos, a bike raffle and more at the fairgrounds. Deputy Santa Treasurer and CCSO Telecommunications Supervisor Katlyn Perales reflected on this year’s success.
“This year we had an abundance of volunteers and donations,” Perales said. “This was a really big year. This was actually the most kids we’ve had since we’ve taken over in three years. It has gotten bigger each year.”
The program was founded by former deputy David Furrh and former Sheriff R. H. “Curly” Wied in 1997. Now operating as a nonprofit organization, Deputy Santa is led by president and CCSO Sheriff Justin Lindemann, vice president Andrew Weido, secretary Beth Mayfield and Perales. The new board has been managing the program for the past three years.
“We thank our citizens and local businesses who helped support this,” Lindemann said. “Without them, it wouldn’t be successful.”
Deputy Santa collected over 500 toy donations from the middle of October to the day before the event. Farm Bureau donated corn- dogs, chips and drinks. Perales said the program “did amazing” with collecting monetary donations.
“It’s really the community support that helps makes this possible, the donations that we receive,” Perales said.
The Colorado County Community Supervision and Corrections Department supported the Deputy Santa program in a unique way. Probationers ordered to complete community service restitution were eligible to receive one hour of CSR credit for every $7.25 spent on items donated to the program. As of Dec. 15, probationers donated items totaling $1,130.83 through the initiative.
“This initiative demonstrates how community service can be both restorative and impactful, by supporting Deputy Santa, probationers not only meet their obligations but also give back to the community in a way that directly benefits families,” a statement by CSCD posted on the CCSO Facebook page read.
CCSO thanked the dozens of families and organizations that donated to Deputy Santa via Facebook with photos.
