Roy’s Kids program makes Christmas brighter for 40 families.

Oceana County Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Simon and Santa Claus deliver Christmas gifts to local children.
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Roy’s Kids program makes Christmas brighter for 40 families.

OCEANA COUNTY — Forty Oceana County families received Christmas gifts from local law enforcement officers Saturday, Dec. 19, thanks to the Roy’s Kids program.

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The charitable program was launched in 1994 by Roy Strait, who is the New Era police chief and a retired Oceana County sheriff’s deputy. Strait began the program as an outreach activity from his role as school liaison.

This year in the midst of COVID-19, officers wore masks and maintained proper social distancing.

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Santa is on hand to help officers deliver gifts to the homes in police cars.

Strait has been the “real Santa” behind this project, and he credits his wife Nancy for being his dedicated Mrs. Claus. “My wife Nancy does all the work,” he said.

“It’s just hard to explain the joy we all feel, seeing the children looking out the window when the squad car pulls up and Santa gets out,” Strait said. “I like the police officers to be friends with the kids.”

“The program reaches out and touches many families that would not have had a Christmas,” said retired Oceana County Sheriff Bob Farber, one of many officers involved in the program. Both Farber and Strait feel that the positive reinforcement and role models of the law enforcement officials adds a unique element to the program.

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Department of Human Services provides the majority of referrals for the program. “We also try to fill immediate needs that crop up during the year, like winter jackets and boots,” adds Strait.

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