AUSTIN -- Not everyone gets to be home for Christmas, so Operation Blue Santa is bringing the celebration to them.
The Austin Police chief joined several other uniformed officers to deliver presents to children at Dell Children's Medical Center of Southeast Texas.
"It's always exciting to see the kids. They smile for the first time. Their parents are excited," said Margarine Beaman with Operation Blue Santa.
This year was especially challenging because investigators say the Christmas Bureau fell victim to corruption and the director was arrested. As a result, the Austin Police Department challenged the Central Texas community to step up and fill the need.
The donations filled a room inside Dell Children's.
"I always say from adversity comes opportunity. This year we had to overcome some tremendous adversity. You see the response is so heart-warming. Good always overcomes," said APD Chief Art Acevedo.
The officers gave gifts to children and their siblings, ages newborn to 18 years.
