Operation Santa Claus Celebrates 40 Years of Helping Shreveport

Sadly, every year there are thousands of families in Shreveport who will not be able to provide Christmas gifts to their children. We don't mean these families will have just a few gifts, we mean there will be not gifts. Possibly, there won't even be a tree to put them under, or in some cases there won't even be a home to put a tree in.

For the last 40 years, there has been one consistent, local organization that has worked tirelessly to provide a Christmas miracle to as many families as possible. That organization is Operation Santa Claus.

In 1984, Shreveport radio station KWKH teamed with public safety agencies to form a 501(c)(3) charity organization to help provide gifts to those in need across the area. The plan was pretty simple, radio spreads the word, the whole program collects the toys, and the, Shreveport Police and Shreveport Fire deliver the toys.

Its worked so well, Operation Santa Claus is going strong 40 years later.

But it feels like the need in the community grows every year, meaning more and more toys and gifts are needed. Through generous donations around the community, Operation Santa Claus can continue to make a difference.

Every year, the biggest request from the children is bicycles. Bikes of all shapes and sizes. From training wheels to mountain bikes for teenagers, bikes are always needed.

That doesn't necessarily mean you need to deliver a bike to an Operation Santa Claus location. Shreveport Police Officers and Shreveport Firefighters will be live at multiple donation stops throughout the season to collect monetary donations. They will be able to use these donations to purchase bikes in bulk, likely getting a better deal than individuals can get on their own.

Here are the dates and locations where you can join Operation Santa Claus this year to make a donation:

Nov. 18 - 6:30pm Krewe of Centaur Cake Auction
Nov. 28 - 7AM Turkey Trott 5K Run Toy Drop Off
Dec. 3 - 7AM-9AM Brookshire’s @ 9250 Mansfield Rd and Bert Kouns (Shreveport)
Dec. 4 - Heroes and Helpers @ 4PM - 9PM Target (Youree Drive)
Dec. 5 - 7AM-9AM Brookshire’s @ 3000 N. Market St. and Ravendale (Shreveport)
Dec. 7 - 1PM Ladies Golf Club Association Toy Donation Party Northwood Golf Club
Dec. 10 - 7AM-9AM Brookshire’s @ 5828 Line Av and Pierremont (Shreveport)
Dec. 12 - 7AM-9AM Brookshire’s @ 1125 Hwy 80 E (Haughton)
Dec. 14 - 11AM - 1PM Bailey’s Fine Jewelers (Bossier City) LIVE REMOTE
Dec. 14 - 9AM-2PM NW LACar Club “Santa Fun Run” 6140 Greenwood Road 71119
Dec. 14 - 2PM-4PM @ Avalon Hair Studio 3730 Youree Dr. 71105 LIVE REMOTE
Dec. 16 - Krewe of Gemini Toy Donation 6PM
Dec. 10 - North Shreveport Business Assoc. Luncheon 11:30AM-1:00PM
Dec. 11 - 7AM-9AM LSUS One University PL, 71115 LIVE REMOTE
Dec. 16 - 7AM - 9AM Batteries Plus Bulbs 7230 Youree Drive Suite LIVE REMOTE
Dec. 11 - 9AM Shriner’s Hospital for the “Barney Cannon Smile Run”
Dec. 12 - 6PM Downtown Christmas 5k Run Toy Drop Off
Dec. 13 - Last day to drop off gifts for sponsored children
Dec. 19 - 6PM Boys Scout Volunteer Event Santa’s North Pole
Dec. 13 - 5PM Shop with a Police Officer Walmart Mansfield Road
Dec. 18th, 19th, and 20th Toy Deliveries by SFD Firefighters and SPD Officers

Between December 2nd and December 13th, you can drop off any donation at your local Bonvenu Bank location.

Please take a moment this season to donate to Operation Santa Claus. That doesn't only include making a donation; you can donate your time, effort, and social media posts as well. Something like sharing posts about Operation Santa Claus on your Facebook, Instagram, or in a text to your friends means a lot too.