Summary
Organization name
NoCo Santa Squad
2024
Tax id (EIN)
93-4910414
Category
Human Services
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
5737 E COUNTY ROAD 60WELLINGTON, CO 80549
Larimer County, CO, US
Weld County, CO, US
About
Who we are
When Santa Cops of Larimer County announced that it would cease operations after the 2023 holiday season, some may have despaired that Christmas was canceled for some families and what that meant for the future.
A new group of Christmas enthusiasts comprised of Veterans and First Responders stepped up and have launched NoCo Santa Squad, a 501(c)3 serving those in need, and will continue to be the helping hand to deliver joy and happiness to local children and families. The goal is not only to bring joy at Christmas, but throughout the year for birthdays or other occasions that meet their criteria for those families struggling to make a special day for their young ones.
Santa Cops of Larimer County organized and led the charitable toy drive program since 1987, but the group said on social media late 2023 that an inability to find an affordable lease to warehouse their proverbial sleigh each Christmas meant that they could no longer gather toys for children in Larimer County.
NoCo Santa Squad is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by applicable law.
Mission
NoCo Santa Squad, founded by Veterans and First Responders, is dedicated to supporting children and families across Northern Colorado. Whether it's the holiday season, a birthday, or an unexpected time of need, we're here to provide gifts and spread hope.
Background Statement
Santa Cops of Larimer County organized and led the charitable toy drive program since 1987, but the group said on social media late 2023 that an inability to find an affordable lease to warehouse their proverbial sleigh each Christmas meant that they could no longer gather toys for children in Larimer County.
Marty Gerlach of Wellington CO, the founder of the new nonprofit, ran a toy drive in his shop in 2022 and two toy drives in 2023, with hopes of passing the proceeds along to organizations like Santa Cops of Larimer County and a similar organization in Weld County, Weld Elves but the former shut its doors, and the latter is fortunate enough to have enough donations to operate successfully, he said, so the obvious next step was to make his own organization. Their non profit became official earlier this year and now the work begins.
“We’ve had a really good response,” Gerlach said earlier this year during an interview with the Reporter Herald. “Everywhere, anybody you talk to, they’re like, ‘Wow, you guys are picking up the slack for the Santa Cops.’ And it’s going to be tough to fill their shoes, I’ll tell you, because they were around for over 30 years. And we’ve got a lot to learn. The main thing is that we need donations, sponsors and volunteers.”
Media gallery
Organization Data
WELLINGTON, CO 80549