RPD's Blue Santa visits local children at Mercy Medical, One Safe Place and more

REDDING, Calif. — Elvis Presley sang about a Blue Christmas, but that's nothing like Blue Santa from the Redding Police Department(RPD), who's been spreading cheer for 31 years.

RPD's Blue Santa made a stop at Mercy Medical Center in Redding on Friday with a mission of pediatrics on his mind.

Chief Bill Schueller says he, and his undercover officers, get more out of the annual visit than they give.

"We just want to give back to the community. And it's a good way for kids and families that may experience law enforcement in a traumatic event [so they] will see us in a different light and get to experience a good Christmas they might not have normally had," Chief Schueller told KRCR. "There's a lot of enjoyment out of this. It's great to see the smiles on the faces throughout the city and even, here, at Mercy in the pediatrics department. It's awesome."

Natalie Wilson's daughter, Kara, is recovering from a bout with asthma. They both appreciated the visit.

"We get to go home today, but it's nice to be able to have someone come and spread some Christmas joy—especially for those that don't get to go home like we do," Natalie told KRCR.

Blue Santa also visited One Safe Place, and then numerous homes and apartments of children who had been referred by school resource officers.

And he put a few extra toys aside for other children he encountered on his rounds.

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