EDINBURG, Texas – The holidays got a little bit brighter for the children in the Rio Grande Valley as Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Border Community Liaison (BCL) Unit coordinated with many local schools and nonprofit organizations to deliver over 1500 hundred toys to children.

RGV Sector partnered with the Salvation Army to sponsor an “Angel Tree” filled with names of children in Hidalgo County who may not otherwise receive gifts due to their family’s financial situation. Over 50 children received items such as coats, scooters, bicycles, dolls to name a few.

The Kingsville BCL Unit participated in the 18th Annual Driscoll Children’s Hospital Toy Drive where they helped Santa distribute the gifts to the children. This year, all the children had to do was look outside their hospital window to see Santa making a special arrival in the Air and Marine Operation’s helicopter.

The McAllen and Weslaco Border Patrol Stations collaborated with the English Second Language Club from the Hidalgo Early College High School and Air and Marine Operations to deliver gifts to students at Hidalgo Park Elementary. “Green Santa” made his appearance and children happily posed with him for pictures.

The Falfurrias BCL Unit partnered with Child Protective Services to provide Christmas Toys for 55 children in Brooks County, currently in the CPS system. CPS caseworkers took the children to the Falfurrias Station where they met Green Santa and enjoyed cookies and refreshments.

The Weslaco Border Patrol Station held its annual tradition of donating gifts to children in Head Start Programs. The station handed out 140 gifts to the North Bridge Head Start Program in Weslaco and 140 gifts to the Donna One Head Start Program.

The Brownsville BCL Unit celebrated the holidays with 24 students from Los Fresnos United. Students played games, had pizza dinner, and received 48 gifts donated by the Brownsville Station.

Other Station BCL units participated in special events of giving back to the community such as parades and toy drives.

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