SAN ANTONIO & FORT KNOX, Ky. -- More than 12,000 underserved children and youth, ages 3 to 12, will wake up Christmas morning to find a gift under their tree thanks in part to a $10,000 donation by TETCO and the Turner family given to SAPD Chief William McManus and coordinators of the Blue Santa Program during a presentation November 30 at TETCO store No. 81.
"The men and women of the San Antonio Police Department do so much for the community by helping and protecting our citizens," said TETCO vice chairman Jon Turner, "so to see them go above and beyond to make sure that our city's underprivileged children will receive a gift for Christmas, we are proud to support the Blue Santa Program."
During the check presentation, McManus thanked TETCO and the Turner family for their generous gift, which will allow the Blue Santa Program to purchase more than 12,000 Christmas presents for the children and youth on Blue Santa's list.
"We truly appreciate the continued support TETCO has provided to the Blue Santa Program over the past four years," he said. "TETCO has been one of our main contributors, and because of this there will be a lot of happy children with smiles on their faces when they wake up on Christmas Day."
In addition to the $10,000 donation, TETCO is encouraging its customers to make a cash donation or purchase a paper, blue Santa hat for $1 at all of its San Antonio stores until December 31 in support of Operation Blue Santa. All proceeds benefit the Blue Santa Program.
TETCO launched its Operation Blue Santa in 2008. Since then, it has donated more than $125,000 to the San Antonio Police Department's holiday program.
"Because of our wonderful and loyal customers, Operation Blue Santa continues to be a success," Turner said. "And once again, we are asking them to open their hearts in helping us raise funds that will make Christmas so joyful for thousands of disadvantaged children in the Alamo City."
The Blue Santa Program began in 1976 when officers from the Community Relations Unit adopted needy families at Christmas time. The officers provided these families with groceries for Christmas dinner and presents for their children. These police officers, wearing their blue uniforms, became known as "Blue Santas." Each year, the success of the Blue Santa Program depends on the generous contributions from local businesses, civic organizations and countless San Antonio residents.
TETCO is a San Antonio-based company, owned and operated by the Tom E. Turner family for more than 60 years. C-store operations, construction and equipment sales, fuel system sales and service, petrochemical distribution, and environmental engineering are the company's primary revenue sources, with significant interests in oil and gas exploration, real-estate development, paving and utility construction. TETCO operates in Texas, as well as Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming.
Separately, in other news of the Christmas season, Louisville, Ky.-based Thorntons Inc. and the American Red Cross joined forces to show their appreciation for the sacrifice of the soldiers of Fort Knox, Ky. As part of Thorntons Humanitarian Day event, 300 Thorntons team members traveled to Fort Knox on Wednesday, November 16, and assembled 200 bicycles and 4,000 care packages for the American Red Cross' Santa's Workshop program and for soldiers returning home from Afghanistan.
Every year around the holidays, the Fort Knox American Red Cross' Santa's Workshop program opens its doors to allow soldiers and their families to "shop" for free toys for their children. In recent years, there has been a high demand for bicycles. Because of the limited funds, Santa's Workshop has not been able to meet the demand.
Last year, after learning about Santa's Workshop program, Thorntons partnered with the Red Cross and provided 100 bicycles and 3,500 care packages to soldiers and their families.
"This is our chance for our team members to give back to the soldiers at Fort Knox," said Matt Thornton, president and CEO. "We want to thank all the men and women overseas, fighting for our freedom, and for all the sacrifices they endure while protecting our country."
The bicycles and care package supplies were all purchased, assembled, and donated by Thorntons, with help from key suppliers including Consumer's Choice, Hershey's and Advanced Pierre Foods.
Thorntons operates 162 gasoline/convenience stores, one travel plaza and eight car washes. It also distributes petroleum products through its wholly owned Thornton Transportation Co. and operates a river bulk storage terminal in Louisville.
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