Law enforcement officers from three Burke County agencies relaunched Operation Blue Christmas this year, a program that helps Burke County families in need with Christmas gifts, groceries and more.
First Sgt. Daniel Wakefield, left, and Lt. Jacob Reynolds, right, carry presents down a hallway at Â鶹´«Ã½ Public Safety headquarters on Thursday, Dec. 19.
The program took a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this was its first year back, said Lt. Jacob Reynolds from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.
Officers from the sheriff’s office, the Â鶹´«Ã½ Department of Public Safety and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol loaded a car with gifts for a family and a student on Thursday, Dec. 19, to brighten their holiday.
“Every year during the holiday season we come together as agencies and form what is known as Operation Blue Christmas to enrich the lives of some of our community members who have otherwise fallen on hard times,†said Deputy Tyler Gantt.
He’s been participating in Operation Blue Christmas for 10 years. The program started in 2010. It has helped more than 30 families, not including the family selected this year.
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Burke County Deputy Tyler Gantt carries presents to a car for Operation Blue Christmas.
“This holds a special place in my heart,†Gantt said. “I’ve done it for quite a while now, and I’ve been blessed to be able to do it. I just absolutely love it. I love to be able to give back to the community that gives us so much.â€
This was the first year Daniel Wakefield, a first sergeant for the highway patrol, participated in the program.
“I think most people in the law enforcement community really get into (law enforcement) just to help people, and this is a continuation of that,†Wakefield said. “Just an opportunity to help some families in the community that have otherwise fallen on hard times and just need a little bit of extra help to get through the holidays.â€
Officers carry presents to a car to give to a family on Thursday, Dec. 19.
Help with gifts came from several local businesses, including Allstate: Morgan Agency, Kevin Casto Coldwell Banker, Â鶹´«Ã½ Moose Lodge 193, Paramount Ford/Hyundai, the town of Rutherford College, Chapman’s Bail Bonds, Chick-fil-A, the town of Connelly Springs, Â鶹´«Ã½ Savings Bank, Wall Lumber and Catawba Valley Pet Cremation.
Follow for updates on the program, including how to help and how to nominate a family in need next year.
Burke County Deputy Tyler Gantt loads presents into a car for Operation Blue Christmas.
Gantt said the program revamped its logo for its first return since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officers from the Â鶹´«Ã½ Department of Public Safety, Burke County Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina State Highway Patrol came together for Operation Blue Christmas this year. The program started in 2010.
