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Operation Blue Santa Grabs More Than $15,000 For Needy Families


Operation Blue Santa got a big boost Wednesday during a competitive shopping spree.

Austin's WhaleShark Media challenged the Austin Police Department to a two minute shopping spree inside the South Austin Costco.

Two officers had two minutes to grab as much merchandise as possible. They ended up getting more than $12,000. WhaleShark Media then donated $3,000 to make $15,000.

Austin Police Department's Operation Blue Santa hands out toys and a holiday meal to more than 3,500 needy families. That includes 15,000 children.

This year Operation Blue Santa is also serving 6,000 families that the Austin Christmas Bureau had traditionally helped. The Christmas Bureau is under criminal investigation.

Saturday is toy delivery day. Donate money at any Wells Fargo location in the Austin area. The account is 2012 Christmas Bureau fund in care of Operation Blue Santa.

WhaleShark is an online coupon company headquartered in Austin.