Each winter, millions of children across the globe write out their holiday wishes and mail them to Santa Claus in hopes of finding that special present underneath the tree on Christmas morning. But how many children receive a letter back?
For more than 25 years, Santa’s little helpers in the Bethlehem Police Department and Senior Services Department have worked to deliver the Christmas lists from Bethlehem’s children to the North Pole by Dec. 25. In return, they have been tasked by Saint Nick to write a letter in reply.
“We call ourselves ‘Santa’s Senior Elves,’” said Director of Senior Services Joyce Becker. “We have a group who volunteers each year to write the response letters, and that’s their job.”
Every November after Thanksgiving, members of the Bethlehem Police Department distribute special boxes to each elementary school in town, local Stewart’s Shops and the Delmar Marketplace. Children who write a letter to Santa are asked to include their address and put the letter into one of these boxes. In the middle of December, the police then pick up the boxes to be taken to the North Pole. Some time later, children will receive a letter back from Santa written by one of his local helpers.
An average of 500 letters are received each year, according to Detective Michael Whiteley, who works with the police department’s Family Services Unit. The police department also helps with purchasing supplies for the letter writing program.
“It feels great to be able to be the middleman to make sure the kids get their lists to Santa and for the kids to get them back,” he said. “It’s important that those letters get to the big guy.”
Becker said the letters usually contain requests for the toys, like bikes or dolls, but sometimes they’re more heartfelt.
“Sometimes dad lost their job and they need help, or they ask for food,” she said.
In those instances, families may get something additional beyond Santa’s magic. In extreme cases, town social workers reach out through the Bethlehem Food Pantry. If families are in need of additional aid, the Bethlehem Central School District now handles local Adopt-A-Family requests.
“We want to make sure everyone has a Merry Christmas,” Becker said.
Becker reminded families to include an address with each letter, because although Santa may know the names and addresses of all students, the post office does not. She also said local children of all religious backgrounds are free to write a letter to Santa.
“Anyone can write a letter to Santa. He provides goodwill to all,” she said.
Children are encouraged to have their letters to Santa in by Wednesday, Dec. 14, but Whiteley said most can probably still get their letter to Santa if they are placed in boxes before Saturday, Dec. 17, when the boxes will be picked up.
