A few simple actions on a Tuesday morning in early November have likely gone a long way toward making Christmas morning happier for thousands of area children.
Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson donated autographed memorabilia to the Houston Police Department, as part of the “Blue Santa” program. The items will be auctioned off and the proceeds will help buy toys for underprivileged kids throughout the city.
"I always said that when I was able to make it, and be in a good situation, to never forget where you come from," Johnson said. "To team up with the Blue Santa program and help provide for underprivileged kids, that's a big thing for me."
Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland, along with a few dozen more police men and women, thanked Johnson downtown at the department on Travis street. McClelland explained more about the Blue Santa program, which was founded in 1984 and depends on donations from generous Houston Police Officers, sponsors and through private donations.
Through this partnership, Blue Santa Houston will provide toys for every student at Bastian Elementary, which is a Houston-area school adopted by The Andre Johnson Foundation.
"I'm excited about it, because it doesn't just reach out to a few kids. It reaches out to a bunch of kids," Johnson said. "I'd like to thank the HPD for giving me the opportunity to team up with them."
If you're interested in helping, you can contact Officer Martha Bailey at the Blue Santa Hotline (713) 247-8730, or you can visit http://bluesantahouston.org.
