Valdese church hosts festive July event for Operation Blue Santa

Who said that Christmas only comes once a year?

The Waldensian Presbyterian Church is partnering with the Valdese Police Department for a waffle bar fundraiser called Christmas in July.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the department’s Operation Blue Santa (OBS) program, which will sponsor children to give them a Christmas they might not have otherwise. Officers will take children out to dinner and Christmas shopping.

The fundraiser will be Saturday, July 19, from 8-11 a.m. in the church’s Pioneer Hall. Asia Calloway of the church and organizer said that there will be a waffle bar, Christmas-themed games/crafts, carols, stories, and special guests like the Grinch and Santa with Ms. Claus.

There will also be a family Christmas in July photo area.

Tickets can be reserved over the phone, paid through check in the mail, or bought at the church. Checks should include Operation Blue Santa in the memo line. Interested parties can also donate to the program through the church.

Calloway explained that local churches have had angel trees for years, but OBS takes things a step further by helping build lasting relationships between the kids and officers.

She added that they hope to host more events for the OBS in the future, like an adult field day at Temple Fields. She has been working with businesses and organizations for donations.

“This has created an opportunity for us to connect with children to identify with the school system. Children less fortunate will have a Christmas that they may not otherwise have while bonding with an officer,” Police Chief Marc Sharpe said.

The first OBS event began last December when Valdese officers and Sharpe visited Valdese Elementary School with a special guest, Santa. During their visit, the officers participated in sing-alongs with the kids, hosted Q&A sessions, gave out candy, and spent the morning with the kids to spread holiday cheer.

These fundraising efforts are growing their OBS program to sponsor children; however, Sharpe said it depends on the amount of donations they receive on how many children they will be able to sponsor.

Sharpe said he hopes that they will be able to fund and maintain this program as they work with the community and the local churches.

PERSONAL STORY

Part of the motivation behind this program derives from Sharpe’s greatest reward of his career.

In 2005, when he was with the SBI, Sharpe investigated a sexual assault case. The man convicted in the case and sentenced to life in prison was also the father of two girls, a 5-year-old and a 6-year-old.

Sharpe allowed the girls and their mother to spend time and talk with the man at his office before he was sent to prison.

Years later, in 2018, Sharpe was reunited with one of the girls at a sporting goods store. As she read his license for a fishing permit, she looked up at him and asked if he was SBI agent Marc Sharpe.

Teary-eyed, she told him she was the 6-year-old to whom he had shown compassion during that hard time. Sharpe may have left the store after a tearful hug, but he also left with a touching memory.

His interaction with the young girl left a lasting impression on her and Sharpe. The program creates a positive impact and interaction with kids through officers. Later in life, they will know that officers are people who help versus being seen in a negative way.