Operation Blue Star Coming Soon to La Feria

by Tony Vindell/LFN

A La Feria Police Department initiative to give toys to needy children just in time for Christmas is coming along and donations from people throughout the community are pouring in.

Called Operation Blue Star, the toy give-way will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 21st at the La Feria Police Department Parking Lot.

Police Chief Cesar Diaz said this is the third year they will have the event to benefit area children.

“We gave out more than 1,000 toys last year,” he said. “We like to give back to the community.”

Diaz said they will set up tables on the sidewalk outside PD, but if the weather does not cooperate they will do it in the Fire Department building which is next door.

He also said five local families will be chosen this month to receive a box filled with food items as part of a new program.

Diaz said a team of police officers and dispatchers will be in charge of selecting the families and they will deliver the goods.

“It will be a surprise for them,” the police chief said. “This is an exciting time of year.”

He said they set up several boxes at a number of businesses so people can drop off toys they want to donate. Among them are El Centro Food, CVS, auto parts shops and even at a Wal-Mart in Harlingen.

Diaz said they have been doing this since he became the city’s police chief three years ago.

“It’s a good feeling,” he said, “to help the community.”