By HERB BOOTH
Special correspondent
Santa Cop has been bringing toys to Grand Prairie’s neediest boys and girls since 1984. Santa Spot has been doing the same with food for not quite as long.
The two recognizable, charitable non-profits – run by the Grand Prairie Police and Fire departments – kicked off their official campaigns Nov. 1.
Santa Cop delivers toys to needy boys and girls in Grand Prairie. In addition, Santa Spot delivers enough groceries for at least two or three meals to the same home.
Police Officer Mark Calvert has been part of the effort since 1987.
“We always get more requests than we can fill. There’s always a need,” Officer Calvert said. “We get 90 to 95 percent of our requests from the school district. We know they’re deserving if they qualify through the school district.”
He said there always are a few requests from other police officers, firefighters and city officials. Officer Calvert said they always do checks to ensure only the neediest people are receiving help.
“We cap it at around 400 families. That’s how many we can do each holiday season,” Officer Calvert said. “We normally go over by about 30 families. And we always leave room for emergencies. Sometimes we have families who we provide toys and food to who have had fires or floods or some kind of disaster.”
Of course, Officer Calvert said donations and volunteers always are welcome. But the two holiday charities have had all kinds of organizations volunteer. “We’ve had Scouts, athletic teams, the chamber’s Great Texas Scholars, all kinds of groups have volunteered,” Officer Calvert said.
He said donations come in all sorts of packages, too. He said one year many people gave turkey bucks from a local grocery store.
Donors should bring new, unwrapped toys and non-perishable foods to the police department, any fire station or city hall. Call 972-201-4149 to arrange pick-up for larger items. Collections go up to Dec. 17 or later in some years.
Diabetes workshop scheduled
A free educational diabetes workshop in Spanish will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Grand Prairie Library, 901 Conover Drive.
Maria Springer, a licensed diabetes nurse educator, will explain how to manage diabetes, plan better meals, check blood sugar and interpret the results. The library is planning future presentations in English in 2010. Call 1-877-532-4545 for more information on the diabetes workshop. Call 972-237-5700 or visit www.gptx.org/library for information about other library events.
The Grand Prairie Unity Coalition Annual Banquet and Student Art/Poetry Contest presented by the Grand Prairie Arts Council will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Ruthe Jackson Center, 3113 S. Carrier Parkway. Call 469-774-5565 for more information or reservations.
Uptown Theater schedules November events
The Metro Praise Orchestra will honor veterans in a jazzy, swinging, spiritual musical tribute at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. Tickets are $31. Visit the Uptown Web site for tickets or call 972-237-UPTN (8786).
Get your pets up to date
Grand Prairie is sponsoring a pet vaccination clinic for dogs, cats and ferrets at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Prairie Paws Adoption Center, 2222 W. Warrior Trail.
The event is free for Grand Prairie residents, who must provide drivers license or current water bill. Limit five animals per household. The line will close at 1,000 animals or 3 p.m.
Dogs must be on leash. Cats and ferrets must be in carriers with ID tags. No retractable leashes are allowed. Call 972-237-8575 for more information.
Veterans Day ceremony
The annual Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial, 925 Conover Drive. Call 972-237-8100 for more information.
E-mail Herb Booth at herbviv@sbcglobal.net for tips and items to include in this column.
