The program that helped 950 children the first year has grown considerably. Last year, more than 2,100 disadvantaged children were given Christmas presents, thanks to the help of public safety departments and people like you!

Here’s how the program works:

* Police, Sheriff’s deputies and Firefighters in Shreveport, Bossier City, Caddo Parish and Bossier Parish submit names of children who deserve the assistance of Operation Santa Claus. The children tell the officers what toys they would like for Christmas, and Operation Santa goes to work.

* Through the airways of Shreveport – and now the Internet – Clear Channel Communications and volunteers with Operation Santa Claus work to find sponsors who will donate toys or money to help fill the children’s Christmas lists.  Toys may be taken to any First Louisiana Bank location or to any Today's Tanning location (free tan with donation of toy worth $15).

* Once toys are donated, the public safety employees who nominated the children for the program then get to play Santa, delivering the wrapped goodies in time for Christmas.