Submitted information:
In 2018, officers from the Community Affairs Unit started the Cobb County Police Department SWAT Santa Project. This now annual project takes place leading up to Christmas each year. It is a chance to give deserving families an opportunity to have an enjoyable and blessed Christmas. The SWAT Santa Project is a huge undertaking by Cobb County Police Department employees and volunteers that begins each October with the Cool Cars and Cops car show. The drawing for the SWAT Santa Raffle is held at the car show and the funds raised from the raffle are used to purchase gifts for the children at Christmas time. Over the years, raffle prizes and gifts have been donated by many generous businesses and individuals that help support this worthy cause.
Children are identified with the help of local school counselors. Each child creates a wish list that is compiled by the department’s Community Affairs Unit. Officers, non-sworn volunteers, and of course “SWAT Santa” himself, went shopping on December 14 at the Wal-Mart Supercenter located at 6520 Ernest Barrett Parkway in Marietta. Oftentimes, the gifts the children put on their list are not for themselves, but for parents and siblings so that they can experience the joy of giving. This daylong shopping spree always brings joy to those involved.
All the gifts purchased at Wal-Mart will be transported to Due West United Methodist Church located at 3956 Due West Road in Marietta, where volunteers from the congregation, the community, and department, will wrap the gifts. On Thursday, December 21, and Friday, December 22, the gifts were delivered to the homes of the children taking part in the SWAT Santa Project
SWAT Santa will be adorned in a blue Santa suit with Cobb County Police patches to demonstrate the partnership with the police department and the community. Instead of a sleigh pulled by reindeer, SWAT Santa will be making his rounds in one of the department’s armored SWAT response vehicles, known as Bearcats. Santa cheerfully visits houses, apartment complexes, and hotels, bringing his helpers and an endless supply of ice cream with him.
Anyone seeking further information about the SWAT Santa Project can reach out to Lt. McCloskey or Sgt. Grimstead at (770) 499-3984.
Related:
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- East Cobb’s Fox Family holiday lights display continues through Jan. 7
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