Blue Santa

 

 The 2011 Blue Santa Award Recipient is

Christopher Hausman

Blue Sunday Child Abuse Prevention Initiative awarded it annual Blue Santa award to its youngest recipient: 4 year old Christopher Hausman. This young man is well aware of the needs of foster children. His mother, Melva Montemayor Hausman has led the annual Cameron County Foster Family Christmas Party for several years and served as the past president of the Cameron Country Child Welfare Board.

This year due to a scheduling conflict for the foster children the Christmas party had to be moved to the same day as little Christopher’s birthday. When asked if he minded moving his party to another day he agreed and said he was glad to share his real birthday with the foster children.

Last week his parent received a call from St. Mary’s where Christopher attends school. It was Ana Lindsey saying they were collecting money to help the foster children. When they asked how the school had heard about needing money for the Christmas party they explained that Christopher told them. Later that same day the librarian called saying she had books to donate….again after Christopher told her about the foster children. Before it was all said and done, young Christopher had collected $500, books and with the help of the Celeste Solis and the 6th graders at St. Marys, enough candy bags for all the foster children.

Congratulations Christopher! You are an amazing boy who made a difference for the foster children in Cameron Country!

 

The 2010 Blue Santa Award Recipient is

Brenda and Brian Bailey

Brenda and Brian Bailey are our Blue Santa Award Winner for 2010. They have helped us promote child abuse prevention by particapating at local elementary school and by helping us receive a generous donation from The Allstate Foundation. Thank Baileys for all you do to help Foster Children in Cameron County.

 

The 2009 Blue Santa Award Recipient is

Melinda Goodman

Each Christmas Blue Sunday Child Abuse Prevention selects an individual who has made an outstanding effort in behalf of the foster children in Cameron Country. This year’s award was given to Melinda Goodman. Melinda is the Community Chair person for the Frontera Quilt Guild and together with the LDS Sewing Ladies Group were able to donate over 150 quilts to Blue Sunday for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services -Child Protective Services Division.

Child Protective Services supervisor Sandra Massey shared how removing a child from their home is a very traumatic experience for all involved. In many cases children are not able to gather belongings; they leave with only what they are wearing. Sometimes, all they have are their pajamas. These abused and neglected children are able to choose their very own handmade quilt. Imagine the frightening circumstance surrounding these children. Now imagine the sting of this event being lightened by the comfort of these quilts stitched with love with them in mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The quilts touch others as well. Overworked caseworkers are reminded that our community cares for these children. So a big BLUE thank you to Melinda Goodman and to all the hands who worked on the quilts.

 

The 2008 Blue Santa Award was given to

Lusiddie and Jack Carlisle.

Each year Blue Sunday Child Abuse Prevention recognizes a person or organization for their outstanding effort. Blue Santa honorees are chosen for their outstanding service in the battle to end child abuse in Cameron County. This year’s recipients are Jack and Lusiddie Carlisle.  Early on in the development of Blue Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle asked if they could help. Knowing that someone believed we could make a difference gave us courage to move forward.  Each month they send a check to Blue Sunday.  Their monthly support has been used to help us further our prevention and relief efforts but it does even more than that.  It is a monthly reminder that they not only give but pray for us and the children we serve.  They are the quiet giants in the battle to stop child abuse.

Our hearts broke as we lost Mr. and Mr. Carlisle this year.  They passed away within months of each other and are greatly missed.