That’s where the Weatherford Police Department – and some other local law enforcement agencies - stepped in to help alleviate that burden for 15 children and their parents with the WPD Blue Christmas event. Much like the Shop with a Cop program, officers trade their badges for shopping carts and help kids pick out gifts.
“The kids love it and so do our officers,” said Tina Maxwell in WPD Community Services.
This year’s event started with breakfast at Chick-fil-A in Weatherford, followed by a trip to Target, topped off by complimentary time at Film Alley playing games while volunteers wrap gifts.
Maxwell said WPD partners with the counselors at WISD to identify the children. Once determined, parents are then contacted to get clothing sizes and what is needed most.
Target donates all the items that are shopped for and gives each family a bag filled with clothes.
As a surprise this year, Miller’s Towing and Recovery got into the Christmas spirit and donated a bike for each of the children and delivered them at Film Alley.
“It really is a community event and everyone loves to be involved,” Maxwell said.
Additionally, any siblings of the children selected are also included in the event. That way, in families with multiple children, not only one child gets showered with gifts.
The WPD Blue Christmas began about six years ago with eight families, Maxwell said, and has grown each year, made possible through community partners like Chick-fil-A Weatherford, Target, Parker County Crime Stoppers, Film Alley and the Weatherford Police & Fire Foundation.
A total of 15 officers, including three DPS Troopers and Weatherford College Police Chief Anthony Bigongiari and one of his sergeants, and spouses were on hand.
“Our officers have a hard time saying no so spouses are there to keep them on target,” Maxwell laughed.
She added that Blue Christmas is a reminder that policing in Weatherford goes beyond patrols and calls for service.
“It’s about building relationships, showing compassion, and being there for families when it matters most,” she said.
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