Every kid dreams of running through a toy store and grabbing anything and everything he or she wants. For three children, that dream came true Thursday, courtesy of the Boerne Blue Santa Program, an effort by local law enforcement, businesses and other sponsors to ensure youths have a merry Christmas.
For 15 seconds, the trio — Raelynn Stewart, Valdis Haase and Quinn Perew — grabbed as many toys as they could and tossed them into waiting shopping carts in the aisles at Walmart, 1381 S. Main St.
But they weren’t alone. The three Boerne Independent School District pupils were joined in their gift-grabbing enthusiasm by their campus’ school resource officers, or SROs, plus representatives from area business sponsors. Joining Raelynn in the “Barbie” aisle were her Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary School SRO Iris Kabuss, and two employees of Fair Oaks ER, her event sponsor.
“It’s just getting bigger and bigger and bringing the community together.”
— Chris Dingman, Boerne Police Department
When Valdis hit the toy aisle, Curington Elementary School SRO Nicholas McWright was by his side, as were two reps from the Cavender Auto Group-Cavender Chrysler.
Joining Quinn in her selected toy aisle was Cibolo Creek Elementary School SRO Ryan Cook and sponsor Boerne Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram employee Josh Dambeck.
Chris Dingman, the Boerne Police Department community relations officer, explained the day’s proceedings to the two dozen or so school personel, law enforcement and Walmart onlookers.
Last year, Blue Santa served over 900 children with presents, unwrapped, that parents and guardians pick up the weekend before Christmas.
“We’re here for the final shopping spree for Blue Santa, our biggest community event throughout the year,” Dingman said.
Blue Santa is a combined effort of the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, the Boerne Police Department, the Boerne Fire Department and the Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department to serve families in need.
The Boerne ISD is one of the biggest contributors to the program, Dingman said, through its annual Cookies and Cocoa event, a toy-raising effort.
“All those gifts go to us, so it’s just getting bigger and bigger and bringing the community together,” he said.
Travis and Erin Haase stood off to the side, getting a good view as their son, Valdis, and his crew began grabbing and carting off toys.
“We came here last tonight to prepare, to look down the aisles first, so he would know where things were,” mother Erin Haase said.
Valdis’ father added, “He was nervous, he didn’t know what to expect. But we didn’t know a whole lot about it, either. This was so cool.”
When asked what topped her son’s Christmas wish list, his mother didn’t hesitate to answer.
“The model cars,” she said.
Travis Valdis nodded in agreement.
“My father was always doing models anyway, and Valdis does models with him, so that’s pretty neat,” he said.
When asked to summarize what the day means to them and their lone child, Erin Valdis said the only thing she could think of.
“Truly amazing. I’m at a loss for words,” she said.
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