The Port Houston Police and Security departments volunteered at a housing facility, Jacinto City Healthcare Center in Houston, to bring Christmas cheer to its residents Dec. 18. They provided plush pillows and blankets to the Houstonians while entertaining them with holiday music, food and games.

In 2018, the Port Houston Police and Security departments raised more than $2,900 towards the Silver Santa project through donations and various fundraisers. The project requires several months of planning led by a steering committee of port police and security personnel.

“I worked the memory care unit during the port Christmas delivery, and I could tell that the residents’ spirits were pleased,” said Eutenia Harris, LVN charge nurse at Jacinto City Healthcare Center.

Port Houston Police Chief Mark Smith said the port provided gifts to more than 135 seniors.

 “We also delivered items to the Magnolia Multi-Center, the Chicano Family Center as well as six local residences in the community,” Smith said In addition, Port Houston’s police officers personally purchased and donated 17 bikes to students at Port Houston Elementary Dec. 13 for their exemplary school attendance.

The port’s Police department also participated in several other outreach opportunities this year, including National Night Out and National Coffee with a Cop Day.

“We are always glad to see when specific departments take on special outreach initiatives in the community,” said Leslie Herbst, director of community relations and events for Port Houston. “These efforts, in addition to the number of programs and volunteer projects in which all Port Houston’s team members participate, helps us continue to positively impact our neighboring communities.”

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Port Houston helped spread the holiday spirit by preparing and packaging Thanksgiving meals for 22  families at the Houston International Seafarers’ Center. Families included both local community members and Port Houston staff affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Port Houston employees participated in the project by donating funds to buy and cook turkeys, cooking side dishes and desserts or volunteering to help package and deliver meal kits on Thanksgiving morning.

Each of the 22 families received a 15 lb. turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce, rolls, gravy and pie.  Also included in each package, were tablecloths, utensils wrapped with festive fall bows and personalized cards, created by some of the littlest volunteers, as many employees brought their children to help. 

This project was part of Port Houston’s strategic community outreach efforts. “We wanted to do something different and special this year, as the storm impacted many Houstonians, including some of our own,” said Garret Berg, assistant manager of community relations and events for Port Houston.

“Together, we fried 22 turkeys, coordinated the preparation of 132 side dishes and packed up full meals to feed 126 people.  All of this was done with the help of over 50 volunteers and countless others who donated money to the project,” added Berg.

“Our efforts allowed many families and friends the opportunity to come together and share a nice, enjoyable holiday meal on Thanksgiving Day.” 

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