Operation Blue Elf Spreads Holiday Cheer to Children

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office gifted 1,103 underprivileged children with toys for the holidays this past weekend at their third annual Operation Blue Elf.

The toy drive was Dec. 14 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, which was decorated as a winter wonderland, complete with face painting, bounce houses, a petting zoo, a trackless train, Santa, and so much more.

Operation Blue Elf was created as a way for employees at the Sheriff’s Office to engage their servant hearts and embrace their community.

“I challenged my divisions within the Sheriff’s Office to come up with some type of program of giving back,” said Sheriff Rand Henderson. The Executive Division chose a toy drive, and with help from community partners, it was made possible.

Each child is gifted three presents of their choosing: one from the community, one from the Sheriff’s Office, and one from Santa Claus. School counselors and church leaders throughout the districts choose the children who participate in the program.

“It means more than enough for us,” said Darius Montremathis, who attended the event with his six kids, each decorated with face paint and smiles. “For us to sometimes not be able to provide the experience, it gives us a good feeling to know that they get the full experience of Christmas … and to be able to experience the law enforcement in a good view,” he said.

Law enforcement deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Fire Department, as well as Montgomery County EMS were in attendance. The children had a chance to see a squad car, ambulance, police K-9, and SWAT gear up close.

Besides the joy their work brings the children, Lieutenant Scott Spencer said his favorite part is the fact that the kids are able to interact with police officers in a positive atmosphere.

“We want them to know the police are the community, the community is the police, we’re in this thing together,” he said.

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