By Sharla Steinman
Loveland Reporter-Herald
LOVELAND, Colo. — Thompson Valley EMS Santa Medics are back in town collecting gifts for Loveland, Berthoud and Johnstown families this holiday season.
Anyone can donate new, unwrapped gifts, such as Lego sets, dolls, and cosmetic kits, to one of the many drop-off locations in Loveland, Berthoud and Johnstown. The gifts are carefully wrapped and distributed to children based on age, the Santa Medics website states.
“We’re there on their worst days, but I think we can be there on some good days as well, and help make those good days even better,” said program leader Serena Elkerton, who is a TVEMS lieutenant and paramedic.
Santa Medics was developed by Elkerton in 2023 after the dissolution of Santa Cops of Larimer County, a program where officers volunteered to wrap and deliver gifts. After that program ended, Elkerton said that filling the void became personal for her.
She was raised by a low-income, single mother who ”did her best to hide the struggles,” she said, adding that the Santa Medics program helps families in similar circumstances. The program aims to support parents to help kids be more successful, she said.
“The Salvation Army lost a big contributor, but we have been able to help fill that need, and they haven’t had to turn anybody away, luckily (from getting a toy),” Elkerton said.
Donated toys collected by Santa Medics are given to the Loveland Salvation Army for distribution. Last year, Santa Medics and other local programs collected 8,502 gifts, which were distributed to 459 children and 327 seniors in Northern Colorado, said Olga Duvall, director of Loveland’s Salvation Army.
“We are so blessed by this partnership,” Duvall said. “Especially the last days before Christmas when all other agencies are already closed and the family is really stressed and they don’t know where else to go.”
Elkerton said that over the last few years, she has seen the need for support increase based on her experience on the ground as a paramedic.
“If we could potentially be a resource to help with some of that (need) … I think it benefits the entire community, and not just medically,” she said.
On Friday, TVEMS Santa Medics volunteers, Sarah Szczerba and Gavin Biglen, collected gifts at Walmart, located at 1325 N. Denver Ave., one of the many local drop-off locations, which are labeled on a map online.
“I enjoy giving my time and we see them (local families) in the field, so it’s nice to support them,” Szczerba said, adding that growing up she and her family donated to similar programs.
Johnstown resident Brandy Warrick donated to the Santa Medics on Friday and said that she tries to contribute every year.
“I felt like it was the right thing to do,” Warrick said.
Community members can pick up toys from the Loveland Salvation Army, located at 840 N. Lincoln Ave., Dec. 15-24 on business days from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Duvall said. Gift recommendations for community members interested in donating are available on the Santa Medics website.
“When they (community members) come and receive the gifts here at the Salvation Army, we see a lot of holiday miracles and holiday blessings,” Duvall said.
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