Year three of Longford's Operation Blue Light Santa fundraising campaign

We cannot believe this is year three of ‘Operation Blue Light Santa’. I founded the initiative in 2021, following a conversation with Constance Perez who had moved to Ballymahon from Austin, Texas.

Constance explained that Austin Police raise funds through Operation Blue Santa to purchase necessities for those finding themselves in difficulty and asked if our Police Department had a similar initiative.

Having considered the concept, I formed an ‘Operation Blue Light Santa’ team made up of members from the blue light services and members of the community.

The project is generously supported by Siobhan Cronogue and her team in County Longford Public Participation Network and by Janine Bartley and her team in the Longford Community Safety Partnership.

The ‘Operation Blue Light Santa’ team was aware of many fantastic charities in County Longford who work tirelessly all year, providing much needed services and support throughout the county. And so, we set about putting our own spin on the American Blue Santa initiative to support the efforts of those very worthy charities.

I approached journalist Jessica Thompson and I asked her if she would write a children’s book for the ‘Operation Blue Light Santa’ initiative.

Jessica kindly agreed and she brought on board artist Nicole Forster. Together they produced two magnificent books, ‘Operation Blue Santa’ in 2021 and ‘Operation Blue Nose Reindeer’ in 2022.

This year, Pat Taaffe, an exceptionally gifted artist and illustrator joined our creative team to help produce another fabulous book ‘Operation Blue Light Heroes’.

To date, through the books and many social events, a total of €22,300 has been raised for local charities.

This Christmas, we are delighted to be supporting The Little Blue Heroes Foundation and St Christopher’s Services.

This years book is very special as some of our Little Blue Heroes, Honorary Garda Angel Max Wenman, Honorary Garda Angel Luke McCormack, Honorary Garda Zoe Cryan, Honorary Garda Maddie Baxter, Honorary Garda Kalvin O’Meara, Honorary Garda Tobias Godla and Honorary Garda Rian Sutton with the consent of their families alongside dogs from the Garda Dog Unit are the star characters.

The story and beautiful illustrations are sure to bring much joy to their families and everyone who reads the book.

We would like to thank our Little Blue Heroes and their families for being part of the 2023 ‘Operation Blue Light Santa’ team and campaign. It has been an honour for us all to work with you.

We are so proud of everyone who worked on and supported this project in any way. You have individually and collectively made life a little easier for others, bringing joy to those experiencing challenging times and helping create all that is good. A sincere thank you to one and all.

We would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas with every best wish for 2024.

MAIN PHOTO CAPTION: At Jolly Boys Christmas Market in Ballymahon for the launch of the 2023 Operation Blue Light Santa book entitled Operation Blue Light Heroes were Superintendent Seamus Boyle, Cllr Peggy Nolan, Cathy Bermingham (mother of the late Honorary Garda Angel Max Wenman), author Jessica Thompson, Garda Darran Conlon, Cllr Seamus Butler, Dave and Olive Kelly (parents of the late Honorary Garda Angel Luke McCormack), Garda Emma Kiernan, Siobhan Cronogue (Co Longford PPN). The late Max Wenman (RIP) and Luke McCormack (RIP) are among the Little Blue Heroes that feature in the book Picture: Shelley Corcoran