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Letters to Santa campaign again a success

Times Observer file photo The Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry Letters to Santa Mailbox was a major success this year, making sure all of the almost 500 letters got to the North Pole in a timely fashion and that Santa's replies made their way back to the people who sent the letters.

During the time of year when it’s most appropriate to send a letter to Santa, Saint Nick and the Post Office are already busy.

So, the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry steps in to help.

“WCCBI provides the flow of communication,” WCCBI’s Savannah Casey said. “We believe in the magic of Christmas and want to help spread a little of that, and some kindness, during the holidays.”

About 500 letters to Santa were sent this year via the WCCBI Letters to Santa Mailbox – no postage necessary.

Anyone with a letter for the man in red simply puts it in the Letters to Santa Mailbox which is located, at the appropriate time of year, along Market Street in front of the WCCBI office. Letters should include the names of the senders and their return addresses. WCCBI said Santa wants to respond, but he doesn’t want to have to take any more time than necessary.

The idea is “to provide a service to the Warren community and spread a little holiday cheer in the process,” Casey said. “Santa is a busy man. We also understand the enormous burden our local post offices have to endure during the holiday season.”

The chamber streamlines the process, making sure those letters get where they need to go and that any return correspondence comes back in good order.

“We do not want any child’s letter to go unanswered,” she said. “WCCBI staff decided to help ease the flow of communication between the Big Guy, the post office, and children of our community.”

When a letter is placed in the box, someone from the WCCBI finds it later that day, or on the next business day. They take advantage of their contacts in the north and make sure it reaches the right department promptly.

“Almost 500 letters were mailed to Santa and those who mailed received a correspondence back,” Casey said.

She couldn’t provide an exact count on the letters in 2021. “The elves lose count after a while,” she explained.

If the writer asked a question, they may have received an answer from Santa – although there are certain trade secrets that must be maintained.

The WCCBI boasts an impressive record of positive responses.

“Santa sends a letter back,” Casey said. “From what we are told, it is a Nice List certificate.”

The program will return bigger and better in 2022.

Winter in Warren County is a tough time on a mailbox.

“Next year’s mailbox will be bigger and better than ever,” Casey said. “Our original box has experienced significant damage from the windy weeks we had during December.”

“So, that one has been retired and WCCBI will be receiving a better mailbox – built by official North Pole elves – in time for the 2022 Christmas season,” she said.

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