Operation Santa Cop gives out gifts

On a fixed income since 2008, Sharon Martinez and her husband worried about providing their daughters gifts this Christmas.

Martinez said her daughters Destiny, Desirae and Angelina were used to a Christmas with many gifts before a traffic accident in 2007 and a continual spinal problem forced her to have two neck surgeries.

Christmas for the Martinez girls has been going smooth so far this year due to the Operation Santa Cop gift-giving program Thursday at the Memorial Building.

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

Mrs. Claus, an anonymous volunteer from the Portales Woman's Club, entertains children as they wait to see Santa Claus.

"We're like so many other families; times are hard," said Martinez, while waiting for her girls to visit Santa.

"I'm happy they are getting presents and I wanted to get them (her daughters) out of the house."

The line of parents and smiling children wrapped around the building when the event began at 5 p.m. Hundreds of children clapped, jumped and skipped across the floor while waiting in line for a toy from Santa.

Operation Santa Cop, organized by the Portales Police Department, is held each year to provide Christmas gifts to children ages 1 to 18 whose families may not be able to otherwise put presents under a tree.

Event coordinator Bella Loomis said gift bins were placed at various places around town before Thanksgiving to collect toys.

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

Children board the Portales Santa Cop sleigh as they prepare to take a ride around City Park, Thursday night at the Operation Santa Cop Toy Drive.

"I want them (residents) to know that we (police) are here for them and that we do care for them," Loomis said. "We are here to help and we're not out to get you."

According to Loomis, the event started with about 300 to 500 gifts and an hour later police department personnel had to shop for additional gifts to complete the night. Loomis said about 450 children received gifts Thursday.

Teenage boys received gifts such sports balls and cologne. Teenage girls received gifts such as makeup and perfume. Young boys received gifts such as toy cards and action figures and young girls received gifts such as Barbies and coloring books.

Destiny Martinez, a seventh-grader at Portales Junior High, said she received Kim Kardashian's fragrance at last year's Operation Santa Cop and hoped for the same gift this year.

"I love Kim Kardashian but I'll be grateful for anything I'll receive," said Destiny, while joking with friends, munching cookies and sipping punch.

"This is just a fun experience."