Belton PD gives holiday gifts to 97 seniors through Silver Santa initiative

BELTON, Texas (KWTX) – The Belton Police Department is spreading the holiday spirit through its 11th annual Silver Santa initiative.

Silver Santa provides Christmas gift bags to residents in the R-U OK senior welfare program. Throughout the year, volunteers check in with residents in the program every week to make sure they are doing alright. Since beginning in 2013, the program has helped save 17 people from potentially life-threatening situations.

This year, 97 seniors received gift bags thanks to donations from the community. These bags included puzzles, cards, blankets and other items they might need. Each gift bag was personally delivered by a Belton police officer to ensure that these seniors not only get a gift this holiday season, but a visitor as well.

“A lot of people are just happy to have a visitor for the holidays,” said Richard Spurgeon, Special Operations Captain for Belton PD. “Many of them don’t get any, so it is nice to be able to give that to them.”

Anita Wyatt, the Volunteer Coordinator for R-U OK, said they want to make sure the seniors know there are people in the community who care for them.

“If it were not for our seniors we wouldn’t be here,” Wyatt said. “We just want to reach out to them to let them know that we care. They are not just a number to us, they are a person.”

Seniors or their families who are interested in the R-U OK program can pick up an application at the Belton Police Department.

Copyright 2024 KWTX. All rights reserved.