The New Era
Sweet Home Police Department is offering a teen Blue Santa Christmas tree again this year.
The program serves young people ages 13 to 17 and up to 18 if actively enrolled and attending school.
Applications will be accepted Nov. 1 to Dec. 1 for teens and families who may need a little help this Christmas season. Applications may be picked up at police dispatch, or they can be mailed or emailed to applicants.
The parent or guardian of each teen will be notified, and wrapped presents will be delivered to the participant’s’s home the week of Christmas by police officers and SHPD’s Santa Blue in a police vehicle. Arrangements can be made to pick up at the police department.
To qualify, teens must live in, be enrolled in and actively attending school in the Sweet Home School District. They must live with the parent/guardian/person completing application.
Only one request form per address will be accepted.
SHPD coordinates with the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District, so they avoid doubling up on families.
Anyone who would like to take a star from the tree and shop for a teen, the tree will be set up in the SHPD lobby starting Nov. 21. Gifts need to be purchased, wrapped and returned no later than Dec. 8 to ensure prompt delivery to the teen before Christmas.