Deputy Constable Michael Pehl checks out after shopping with a family during Blue Santa at Walmart in Tyler, Texas, on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018. Blue Santa pairs local law enforcement officers with deserving children for an evening of holiday shopping. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

The toy aisles of Walmart are usually busy during the holiday season, but they were extra-packed Tuesday evening with kids on their Blue Santa shopping sprees.

Blue Santa pairs local law enforcement officers with deserving children for an evening of holiday shopping. The kids get a $100 gift card to spend and the officers help them shop for items and keep track of how much they’re spending. It’s not uncommon for an officer to cover the cost out of his or her own pocket if a child goes over the gift card amount.

In addition to police officers, constables, sheriffs and deputies, firefighters, EMTs, animal control officers and others volunteered their time, some coming from surrounding towns like Kilgore, Troup, Chandler and Bullard. 

“Our officers typically nominate the kids we see on calls throughout the year” to participate in Blue Santa, said Tyler police Officer Chuck Boyce, one of the event organizers. “The child might be having a hard time or maybe this child needs it not in a monetary sense, but in an experience or connection sense.”

Over 150 children participated in this year’s Blue Santa and purchased items on their holiday wish lists or thoughtful things for their families.

“Typically the kids buy all kinds of toys or want to buy presents for their siblings or parents, but it’s eye opening when they go get clothes or food … they’re not thinking about just themselves, they’re also thinking about how they can help their family,” Boyce said.

Boyce also noted that Blue Santa is a great way to plant seeds and get connected with the kids. This may be the first time some children meet these officers, but he says they’ll see them throughout the year and get to know them.

“They get to remember me and know that I’m approachable and (the other officers and me) become common faces,” he said.

Boyce’s favorite part about the event is seeing the joy in both the officers’ and the children’s eyes as they shop together and share the experience.

“I love my community and it’s who we are to give back,” he said.

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