Cedar Park's first local Blue Santa program is reaching the last registration deadline for gift recipients and accepting donations until mid-December.

Blue Santa organizers especially need new, unwrapped toys children ages infant to 2 years and ages 7–13, Cedar Park police officer Chris Walts said Nov. 21. Volunteers have already donated many toys for children ages 3–7, he added.

Before this year, the Blue Santa program was open to potential beneficiaries from surrounding cities. This is the first time the city of Cedar Park, working with its police department and several organizations, has attempted its own version.

That means the program now specifically serves needy residents in Cedar Park, Walts said.

"We've already got approximately 150 children to take care of as we speak," he said.

Estimating 300 needy families with two children each, that would total a need for 600 toys, Walts added.

Donors can find a list of toy donation dropoff locations on the city's website. Walts said he and other organizers expect contributions to increase after Thanksgiving. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 12, he said.

"I would just encourage the citizens of Cedar Park to assist us in helping the underprivileged families in our own hometown," Walts said. "Every toy collected and every dollar donated will go one hundred percent to the families in need within the city limits. That was the goal, that every dollar donated and every toy collected would stay in our hometown."

Families still hoping to register can do so in person at Reed Elementary School, 1515 Little Elm Trail, from 3–8 p.m. Dec. 4. The application is available on the city's website.

"We're really excited, but being our first year, it's a big undertaking," Walts said. "It'll get bigger and bigger every year. But we will meet the needs in Cedar Park."