Photos: Police officers celebrate the holidays by giving back to their communities

Departments continue to prioritize those in need by providing free meals and gifts during the holidays

By Police1 Staff

It's that time of the year again – the season of giving – and there's no better way to end the year than by giving back to your community. Police departments around the U.S. continue to prioritize those in need by providing free meals and gifts during the holidays. In our roundup below, we feature a variety of ways departments are giving back this year.

If we missed your department's holiday tradition, email us at editor@police1.com.

Every September, Sheriff Troy Wellman of the Moody County Sheriff’s Office in South Dakota starts growing a beard, which he paints white, so he can play Santa in area community gatherings, as well as house visits. This tradition stretches way back as Sheriff Wellman is on his fourth term as sheriff!

Gastonia (N.C.) Police Assistant Chief Nancy Brogdon participates in buying gifts for the fifth-graders of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Gaston at Shop with a Cop. (Photo/Gaston Gazette via TNS)

Gastonia (N.C.) Police Officer Josh Lefevers participates in buying gifts for the fifth-graders of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Gaston for Shop with a Cop. (Photo/Gaston Gazette via TNS)

Valero Volunteers joined forces today with the San Antonio Police Dept. to deliver hundreds of Christmas gifts to families in need. The annual ‘Blue Santa’ event is one of many caring community efforts underway by Valero’s spirited teams. pic.twitter.com/gQyTW3iKnk
— Valero Energy (@ValeroEnergy) December 2, 2021

🎁 Boerne ISD set an all-time record for toys and gift cards during the Blue Santa Toy Drive! As of Friday afternoon BISD collected over 1,300 toys with more donations coming in!

BISD partnered with the Kendall County Sheriff’s Department and the Boerne Police Department. 🎁 pic.twitter.com/fxAF9XcJJb
— Boerne ISD (@BoerneISD) December 3, 2021

Monday, December 6 - Target
Tuesday, December 7 - Walmart
Wednesday, December 8 - Target
Thursday, December 9 - Walmart

Thanks to the @TownLexingtonSC community who has given so graciously so far this Christmas season. https://t.co/YVib6qaS8i pic.twitter.com/H72qyRaE3H
— Lexington Police(SC) (@LexingtonPD) December 6, 2021

First Responders Children's Foundation launches toy distributions in 100 cities across the U.S. (Photo/First Responders Children's Foundation)

The Soledad (Calif.) Police Department works with various agencies to provide Thanksgiving meals to Soledad residents and the surrounding community needing food assistance. (Photo/Soledad Police Department)

https://www.facebook.com/kennebunkpolice/posts/262298249264791

https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodFLPoliceDepartment/posts/258951172925501

https://www.facebook.com/hamdenpd/posts/258285446342848

https://www.facebook.com/BostonPoliceDepartment/posts/10158574596937685

https://www.facebook.com/MaranaPoliceDepartment/posts/260253016136033

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=196522432655400&set=a.165885242385786

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=262201709276158&set=a.234524568710539

https://www.facebook.com/chelmsfordpolice/photos/a.468743549909031/4424048227711857/

https://www.facebook.com/PuebloPolice/posts/6833902449960771

https://www.facebook.com/lkpdbluesanta/posts/4753334678055952

https://www.facebook.com/SeguinPolice/posts/196316822686776

https://www.facebook.com/victoria.tx.police/posts/249027670596351

With the help of an anonymous elf and Brother Gary Moses, we got the “skinny” on Blue Santa’s holiday schedule. Blue Santa's first Toy Drive will be this Friday, Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Target, 7608 Northeast Zac Lentz Parkway. 🎁 🎅 pic.twitter.com/z2MouFrjtE
— Victoria Police Dept (@VictoriaPDtx) November 15, 2021

The first Blue Santa Toy Drive is TOMORROW, November 19th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Target Store Victoria! Donations are needed and will be distributed to children of the Crossroads area. 🎁 👮 🎄 pic.twitter.com/3oIAlUeU4q
— Victoria Police Dept (@VictoriaPDtx) November 18, 2021

Round Rock Operation Blue Santa recipients receive a big box of gifts containing toys for kids up to 13 years old and an H-E-B gift card. We also deliver gifts and gift cards to senior citizens. For more info on how to apply for assistance, visit https://t.co/TbBopcc5g5 pic.twitter.com/KX5QXQCpSP
— Round Rock Police (@roundrockpolice) November 21, 2021

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NEXT: 5 tips to help your law enforcement family adjust to the holidays