13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Hoosier kids can still send Santa letters
Member Center:
Emily Longnecker/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis - Hoosier boys and girls can still send their letters to Santa despite trouble with the national program.
"He gives everyone presents who's on the good list," said Owen Johnson. At six years old, Owen knows the deal. He believes he's on the good list this year.
Even though Owen may have already gotten some face time with Santa, he's mailing a letter just to be on the safe side.
"I want Mario Galaxy Wii," said Owen. "I am being good," he added.
Every year, thousands of kids like Owen send their letters to Santa from right here in Central Indiana.
"All kind of wishes. Puppies. Barbies," said Kim Yates, US Postal Service.
Some drop them in a box at Monument Circle. The US Postal Service here in Indianapolis will collect letters for Santa until December 17th. If you include a return address, Santa will send you a letter back.
"Sometimes children put them in the mailbox at home," said Yates. "Santa replies to about 6,000 letters just here in Indianapolis."
While the local tradition will continue this year, in some cities, Santa's mail is taking a detour.
The nationwide program was suspended last year after a convicted sex offender was discovered trying to volunteer in a Maryland Letters to Santa Program. In Indianapolis, there are no outside volunteers - just a US Postal Service employee helping sort Santa's mail. The letters are eventually shredded.
"That's to protect the children," said Yates.
Ironically, one city where the program is being shut down - North Pole, Alaska - is where it first started. The Postal Service will no longer ship Santa letters there to get a North Pole postmark.
"It really is a shame, but it is a reality of the economy," said Yates.
For some kids and their parents this is another new reality - Emailing Santa at emailsanta.com. Kids can send their letters on the internet. But keeping safety in mind, Santa doesn't need last names, addresses or phone numbers. Santa knows how to find the good boys and girls
Comments Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. By submitting a comment, you agree to these
Terms of Service
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login or register See all comments |
