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BALCH SPRINGS, TX: Santa Claus is coming to town.
Balch Springs, Texas, to be exact, and this year, he’s going to spend 12 special nights meeting with local children while asking local area businesses andparents to remember those less fortunate during the holidays by making contributions to the Balch Springs Police Department’s 23rd annual Santa Cop program.
Former Dallas schools spokesman, Donald J. Claxton, last year constructed his own Santa Sleigh and Santa’s Workshop and displayed them throughout the season in front of his home, located at 14801N. Spring Ridge Circle off I-20 and Belt Line in Balch Springs.
“This year, we’ve found away through the Balch Springs Police Department to help make an even bigger contribution to the city and that’s by asking parents, when they bring their kids to see Santa, to also bring an unwrapped toy, gift certificate or other monetary contribution so that it can go to those in need in the city,” Claxton said. “I’ve contemplated adopting the role of Santa Claus for several years. Being able to support my local police department and those in need just makes the idea even more special.”
Claxton and the BSPD have reached out to businesses within the city to ask them to put out collection boxes at their businesses to help bring in gifts.
Posters are being distributed to participating businesses in the city making them designated drop facilities.
To help keep the focus locally,the Balch Springs Police Department offers assistance only to residents of Balch Springs. Recipient residency is verified and financial need also must be established to receive the assistance. A check also is done through a Dallas County database to ensure that all families receiving the assistance are genuinely in need.
In 2008 the department provided for about 150 children that otherwise might not have received any gifts on Christmas morning.
Balch Springs Police have asked businesses within the city to put up special signage encouraging donations attheir locations or by taking a gift by to “Santa” when they take their kids by to see him.
Claxton will be “Santa” at his home beginning on Black Friday, Nov. 27 and 28. The remaining dates include Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 21,22, and 23. All times are from 6 –8 p.m. A special Sunday appearance is slated for Dec. 20 from 2-4 p.m.
More information can be obtained from www.DaddyClaxton.com.
Claxton, who is the father to seven children, three naturally and four by marriage, lives with his wife, Kari, in Balch Springs. Claxton recently has launched his own Web site, www.daddyclaxton.com, his social media nickname based on the character from the old song, TheWabash Cannonball. Throughout the season, Claxton with be on Twitter and Facebook posting video and photoupdates of the progress made with the program.
Claxton formerly served as the spokesman for Dallas ISD from August 2001 until July 2006.
