'LETTERS TO SANTA' ADD TO THE MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS

'LETTERS TO SANTA' ADD TO THE MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS
And a letter from Santa is even better!

Washington, DC — Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. And he writes letters.

In 1912, then Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to allow individuals or institutions to use letters addressed to Santa Claus for philanthropic purposes. This tradition is carried on today, with Post Offices across the country making "Letters to Santa" available to individuals and groups upon request.

While Santa receives most of his mail at the North Pole, AK, some are sent to Santa's helpers, charitable organizations, Postal Service employees and volunteers who help make a child's wishes come true. Some of these letters will be featured during a one-hour special, "Dear Santa," airing on Dec. 9 on the FOX Network.

Like all mail, it's important that letters to Santa include a complete return address with ZIP Code and a First-Class postage stamp. Santa enjoys candy canes and cookies, and his reindeer are known to enjoy fresh hay. But because these treats can be damaged or crushed when sent in an envelope, Postal officials know that such treats are best left under the tree on Christmas Eve.

Interested organizations should contact their local Post Offices to receive and respond to Letters to Santa.

There are simple steps for families to follow if they are interested in having a "response" from Santa postmarked from the North Pole.

Parents, families or friends helping a child write a letter to Santa should mention some of the child's requests and information in the letter from Santa. Adding a line or two about the child's accomplishments or successes this year is encouraged.

Once the response is written, place the letter in a stamped envelope addressed to the child. "North Pole, AK" should be the return address. Then place the envelope into a larger, properly stamped, First-Class Mail or Priority Mail envelope and mail to:

North Pole Christmas Cancellation
Postmaster
5400 Mail Trail
Fairbanks, AK 99709-9998

North Pole postmark requests must arrive in Fairbanks, AK, before Dec. 15. Parents should send letters by Priority Mail after that date.

For bigger "kids," several cities participate in the holiday re-mailing, including Bethlehem, PA; Garland, UT; Nazareth, MI; Antler, ND and Snowflake, AZ. For a complete list of cities participating in the re-mailing program, visit the Holiday Press Room at usps.com and click on "Holiday Cities."

Those interested in having postmarks from these cities should place all addressed and stamped cards and letters in a larger envelope addressed to Postmaster and include city, state and ZIP Code. Use the ZIP Code Locator on usps.com if a ZIP Code is unknown.

"Santa has a lot of helpers this year, and we're happy to do our part to deliver the holidays. It's what we do best," said John E. Potter, Postmaster General and CEO of the U.S. Postal Service.