Operation Blue Santa In Urgent Need For Toy Drive Volunteers, Austin Mayor Says

AUSTIN, TX — Got anything to do on Friday? You might think about volunteering to help out with the Texas Toy Drive organized by Operation Blue Santa.

Mayor Steve Adler reports that volunteers are urgently needed: "Austin, every time I've asked you to help with the Hurricane Harvey relief effort, your response has been overwhelming," he said. "Now apparently you're overwhelming Blue Santa's workshop, and Austin needs some elves to help with all the toys. Can you help us out?"

Operation Blue Santa need volunteers for each hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. To reserve a volunteer time slot, call Yolanda Buchman 512-974-4719.

Other businesses have volunteered to serve as toy drop-off stations, and toy stores are offering discounts for purchasing a donation for the Texas Toy Drive, officials announced. Toy Joy just started offering a Texas Toy Drive special. If you buy a toy from them for the Harvey kids, they’ll not only knock 25% off the price, but they will make sure the toy gets delivered to the Austin Police Operation Blue Santa for you, officials said.

Didn’t buy a toy from them? Don’t worry about it. You can still drop it off at their store at 403 W. 2nd, according to organizers.

Austin-based Go! Retail Group is offering a special of 30% off all games, toys, and puzzles for donation to Operation Blue Santa. They’re also accepting new game and toy donations at all 5 of their local-area retail stores. Donations will be accepted through Sept. 15. The company has also committed to providing a teddy bear for each purchased donation, with a commitment to donate up to 5,000 teddy-bears to kids in need of special comfort.

Drop Off Locations:
Go! Games and Toys stores at:

• Barton Creek Square, 2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78746, 512-362-8292
• Lakeline Mall, 11200 Lakeline Mall Dr, Cedar Park, TX 78613, 512-215-0384
• Round Rock Premium Outlets, 4401 North I-35, Round Rock, TX 78664, 512-763-8010
• San Marcos Premium Outlets, 3939 IH-35 S, San Marcos, TX 78666, 512-392-2872
• San Marcos Tanger Outlet, 4015 IH 35, San Marcos, TX 78666, 512-368-4121

Austin Police Operation Blue Santa is a 501(c)(3) – non-profit, community based corporation, organized by the Austin Police Department, with support from the Austin Fire Department, Austin Energy, Austin Water Utilities and Texas National Guard. Each year during the holiday season, each family served receives a full holiday meal and wrapped Christmas gifts for each child under age 14.

"Our service to citizens of Austin began back in 1972 serving about 20 families, this year we served over 4,500 families," officials write on their website. "This is only possible because of the goodwill and big hearts of Austin’s citizens, businesses, and civic groups that support us each year."

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