For those who have young children, or young nieces and nephews, cousins, godchildren, or just us plain older kidz who want to write Santa a letter, this bit of info should put smiles on faces. Please feel free to stick in a dollar or so to help with postage costs. I got this in an e-newsletter yesterday, and thought some of you might be interested. We don't want Santa's elves to be too un-busy at this time of the year.
Letters from Santa program starts
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) - Got a child or grand child who has started a "this is what I want for Christmas list"?
Then it's time to think about the annual Letters from Santa program as combat weather flight airmen at Eielson AFB will once again help Santa send out thousands of signed, North Pole-postmarked letters to children worldwide.
The Santa's Mailbag program started in 1954 by 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron airmen, and has been carried on by those of the 354th Operations Support Squadron.
Each year, the unit receives thousands of Dear Santa Claus letters and Christmas-wish lists. Volunteers in the 15-person unit sort and read the letters, select an appropriate reply from Santa Claus, and mail the letters with an official North Pole postmark.
"Last year, we received about 3,000 letters," said Capt. Thomas Crenshaw, combat weather flight chief.
The volunteers will continue to process letters through Christmas. The flight must receive letters to Santa by mid-December to ensure a reply before Christmas. Children whose letters arrive too late will get a special "after Christmas" letter from Santa.
Children can write to Santa at: (Please PM me if you want the address)
There is no cost for the letters, but self-addressed stamped envelopes or donations to help defray the cost of postage are accepted.