The Mesquite Police Santa Cop Toy Program is an annual event that has been going on for over 40 years. It began with Mesquite Police Officer Reese Bullard, who was assigned to a low-income apartment complex and knew families that we’re unable to provide Christmas gifts for their children. Bullard made arrangements for these families to receive gifts, and each year the need grew, and in 1982 the program went citywide and continues to grow and provide for more families with the help of the community.
Among the donors to help Mesquite’s Santa Cop was Dallas Regional Medical Center with a $5,000 donation.
“As Mesquite’s community hospital, we’re always looking for ways to help our community grow stronger, and this is an opportunity for us to see how our support can go a long way. If we can help our friends and neighbors during tough times, then we can all go home at night with a smile on our faces,” said DRMC CEO Glenda Matchett.
Last year the Santa Cop Program provided gifts for over 600 children from over 200 different families. With the help of giving individuals, organizations, and businesses this year the program made sure over 1,000 children in Mesquite and Mesquite ISD received a Christmas gift this year.
“We believe Santa Cop has a huge impact on our community, and how its effect is immediate. It’s not a program where you make a donation and then hear about what happens months later; you can see how it helps people within a matter of weeks,” Matchett said. “I can’t tell you how happy it makes me feel when I see the Santa Cop kids picking up all their presents. It really warms my heart.”