Ad agency raises $60,000 for Operation Blue Santa

When bureau’s legal issues threaten gifts for kids, GSD&M comes to rescue.

The principals of Austin advertising agency GSD&M say they have raised nearly $60,000 for the beleaguered Operation Blue Santa.

After one of its nonprofit partners, the Christmas Bureau, came under investigation for possible financial crimes, Blue Santa was left without the means to deliver gifts to 6,000 needy Austin children.

Firm co-founder Roy Spence said Friday that he read the AmericanStatesman’s coverage of the issue and, along with his wife Mary Spence, decided to help out. He and GSD&M co-founder Judy Trabulsi reached out their employees, friends and business associates to raise the necessary funds.

“This is where the goodness of Austin will really shine,” Spence said. “We’re going to do everything in our power so that Blue Santa has the money in their bank account to deliver on their promise.”

Spence said they were told by Joe Muñoz, a supervisor with the police department’s community liaison office, that Blue Santa was in need of about $70,000. They came close to reaching that in one day, Spence said.

Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo and Muñoz said Thursday that the Christmas Bureau came under investigation after its current president failed to meet his obligations for Blue Santa this year.

Blue Santa officials are asking Austinites to ramp up donations of cash and toys to the program. Money can be donated at any Wells Fargo location, and toys can be dropped off at any police or fire station around the city, as well as at Saturday’s Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade downtown.

Blue Santa hopes to bring gifts to about 15,000 needy kids on Dec. 15.