In partnership with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and local organizations, Santa’s Posse, with the help of hundreds of volunteers, delivered toys and food to 1,500 families in Southwest Washington on Saturday morning

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

This was the third year in a row for Amy Mullins and Soozie Caldera to show up as part of Santa’s Posse, to deliver presents and food to families in need in Clark County.

They know the drill now.

“The first year we came, we were wayyyyyyyyy back in the line,” Mullins said. “It was a super, super, super long wait. Last year, we were a little earlier and we were about 30 cars back. This year, we don’t want to be late. We ended up being first.”

Yep. First in line, after showing up outside the Clark County Event Center at 5:55 a.m. Saturday morning.

Grant you, the Santa’s Posse pick-up did not start until 7:45 a.m.

But again, they are now veterans of this annual tradition. They were not going to be late.

By 7:30, the line of vehicles went beyond where the eyes could see, past some turns in the roadway that encircles the Clark County Fairgrounds.

So many people who are doing their part to accomplish the mission. Santa’s Posse, which was created in 1997, is a partnership between the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the local community, working together to collect and distribute toys and food to make a special Christmas holiday for less fortunate families in Clark County, according to the organization’s website.

“I don’t take it for granted,” said Clark County Sheriff John Horch. “It’s just amazing how many families are wanting to help. We couldn’t do it without the community. We have volunteers, but it’s really the entire community together.”

The sheriff noted that he loves hearing the stories of people who have delivered for Santa’s Posse in years past. They know what it means to those families in need.

“I don’t get tired of this,” Horch said. “I love it.”

Mullins and Caldera understand. That is why they keep coming back to delivery day. They listen to Christmas music, drink coffee, and wait patiently to have bags of toys and boxes of food placed in their car to head out on the morning’s journey.

“We are doing something kind for children in our neighborhoods,” Mullins said.

This year, 1,500 families, including close to 4,300 children, will be visited by Santa’s Posse, according to Todd Barsness, president of Santa’s Posse and a commander with the sheriff’s office.

The Clark County Mounted Patrol and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program helped with traffic control. 

The Clark County Search and Rescue Team loaded the bags, boxes, and in some cases, bicycles as car after car, truck after truck, slowly drove to the pick-up stations.

“They understand the importance of safety, planning, coordination, communication,” Barsness said of the SAR team. “They are an absolute godsend in this whole thing.”

By 10:40 a.m., Santa’s Posse announced on social media that all deliveries had been made and thanked all the “elves” for their help.

An impressive feat by an impressive organization.