Many local police and fire departments give children in their community a Christmas treat with events like Shop with a Cop or other ways of spreading holiday cheer. The Mentor-on-the-Lake Police Department isn’t the biggest community or has the most business resources to approach for help, but this year they celebrated their 10th Santa’s Blue Helpers event with over 200 children from the city benefitting from the generosity of so many over the run of the program. Lt. Tina Messinger started the program when she was a part-time patrol officer. “Since 2015, when I started the program we have had the pleasure of taking now over 200 children of Mentor-on-the-Lake shopping,” Messinger said. “Over the course of the year, we collect donations that benefit the program. I use social media as the main platform to request and advertise for donations. “Being a smaller community, we do not have the industry and businesses that other agencies have the luxury of having to financially support community events such as this,” she added. “We rely heavily on the generosity of the few businesses we do have and the residents.” Messinger said this year they have gotten much community support not only from businesses and residents of Mentor-on-the-Lake, but also from surrounding communities like Mentor and Willoughby. Several AMVETS, Eagles and Elks post have donated to the event, and the Great Lakes Cigar Club Marco’s Pizza did their annual pizza fundraiser and again donated the pizza this year for the party. Spuddy’s Tavern made a substantial donation which was noted on the department’s website. Michael Mage, a well known magician, performed for the kids prior to departing for Target in Mentor. Santa made a special trip from the North Pole and a limousine provided by Vitalones assisted in transporting all the children along with a police escort. Each family was provided several prepared bags with necessary household items and a gift card to Walmart donated and put together from Country Baptist Church. This year, 21 children benefitted from the program with each child receiving $200 a piece to purchase whatever they wish. “The program has come a significant way since the start in 2015,” Messinger said. “With the help from the community, we are fortunate to continue to do this every year.”