Area groups in giving spirit

Managing editor

[email protected]

‘Tis the season of giving and the eastern New Mexico region has many organizations eager to do just that.

Toy and monetary collections are being taken by organizations all through Clovis and Portales.

Two major events supported each year are those of the two local police departments.

Clovis Police Department hosts an event each December, in which local law enforcement takes Clovis children in need shopping for the holidays.

“One year, a cop told a kid that he only had about $9 left to spend, so the kid asked if he could go get one more thing, and the cop said, of course. The kid ran back with a box of laundry detergent for the family,” Sgt. Daron Roach said, giving an example of how the Cops & Kids Christmas program helps families and children who would not have otherwise had Christmas.

Roach said the program has gone from having 10 children participate to well over 200 since its start in 2006.

“We get participation from the state police, security forces, the sheriff’s office, the livestock board, a lot of other agencies around,” said Roach, adding that the Portales Police Department has even sent officers to help with the event before.

“In today’s society, any positive interaction with police officers is a plus; it allows us to interact with the kids on a positive note,” Roach said. “A lot of these kids have members of their family who have had alternative interactions with police, so this is good to show the kids that we aren’t out there doing bad things; we’re there to help them.”

Portales Police Department’s annual Santa Cop event is approaching next weekend, and the department is still in need of toys, according to Sgt. Chris Williams, who said the department’s last toy drive did not go well due to weather.

“Due to the weather on Thanksgiving, our last toy drive only got us five donations and, since we only have a week left to the event, I don’t think we’ll be able to do another toy drive, but we are still taking donations and registrations,” he said.

The Santa Cop program also helps children in need, drawing in roughly 400 Roosevelt County children each year.

“It’s a wonderful program,” said Det. Charlie Smart. “You just have to see the excitement on these kids faces when they get to see Santa and get a present. In my opinion, it truly brings through what the spirit of Christmas really is, and that is giving to those in need.”

Williams said the department will be taking toy or money donations up through Dec. 11 as well as registrations for participating children.

Roach said the Clovis department will take money donations up through Dec. 11, with the deadline for applications being 4 p.m. on Monday.