HOUSTON — Mayor John Whitmire said Wednesday that the city is seeking private funding to keep the Blue Santa holiday program operating after organizers announced its closure due to limits on police participation and city funding rules.
Whitmire said in a social media statement that the city supports the Blue Santa program but cannot legally use Houston Police Department resources, including overtime pay, to support the nonprofit’s operations. He said the department notified the nonprofit that it could not use on-duty resources to manage the program.
Blue Santa Program Incorporated announced on its website that it would end the annual toy distribution program because of the change in police department participation and compensation policies, including overtime pay for officers assisting the initiative.
Whitmire said he is working with private donors and the business community to secure funding so the program can continue through direct contributions.
The Blue Santa program, founded in 1984, has partnered with Houston police officers to distribute toys to children during the holiday season.
The city’s decision comes as Houston faces a reported $174 million budget deficit. City controller projections show that police, fire, and solid waste departments are exceeding overtime budgets by a combined $54 million during the current fiscal year.
A Houston police spokesperson said the department will continue to participate in community events such as toy and food drives.
Blue Santa organizers said the program began after officers responded to a 1984 shoplifting incident involving toys intended for a family.
Whitmire said he aims to ensure children in Houston continue to receive holiday toy deliveries through alternative funding sources.
