GROVES — Santa came to Groves early this year and everyone got something.

Akhtar Construction held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday morning for the new Amber Estates subdivision. Following the event Blue Santa gave gifts to children who live at nearby Axis Manor and Ashlynn Park in Groves thanks to the generosity of some Port Arthur and Groves police officers.

Attendance for the event was larger than expected and there weren’t enough gifts to go around, so Developer Jeff Akhtar gave cash to the children for Christmas.

“More than expected attended, so we will give money so now the children won’t go away empty-handed,” he said.

Blue Santa also visited Port Arthur last week.

Christmas for more than 400 children will be a bit brighter thanks to Port Arthur Police Blue Santa Program, as it was reported in The News.

Families lined up at the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center, where inside there were large holiday inflatables, cookies and ice cream, loads of toys and even a blue clad Santa Claus, also known as Mike Barnett, who posed for photos with kids.

Port Arthur Police Blue Santa is a 501c3 organization whose mission it is to make sure no child in the area goes without for Christmas.

David Ball: 409-721-2427