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Santa answers children's letters in Reynoldsburg, Pickerington
Santa has a special mailbox where Reynoldsburg and Pickerington children may drop off their letters to him.
Area children may deposit the letters to Santa Claus in the special mailboxes, located at each community’s city hall building. The children then will receive a letter back from Santa before Christmas.
The last day to submit a letter for Reynoldsburg residents is Dec. 20. For Pickerington residents, the deadline is Dec. 12.
The dropped letters must include the child’s name and home address so Santa and his helpers can respond.
On average, Reynoldsburg’s mailbox - which is in the shape of Santa’s workshop - receives between 90 and 125 letters each year.
“I really look forward to checking Santa’s house for letters,” said Donna Bauman, one of Santa’s helpers at the city’s parks and recreation department. “When reading the letters, I find that they make me smile that the spirit of Christmas is alive and that these children still believe.”
Her favorite letters, she says, are ones from children just learning how to spell and write.
“You can tell that they have put a lot of effort into making the letters just right, and if you take the time, you can figure out what they are asking for,” Bauman said.
Reynoldsburg’s parks and recreation department has about 20 different letter templates, which helps when siblings and entire classrooms submit letters.
“We like to make sure that they do not receive the same letters,” Bauman said.
Most of the letters both Reynoldsburg and Pickerington receive list items that are popular that year. In the past, Wii games and puppies have been popular requests.
In some instances, children simply want to make sure Santa knows where they live.
“Some children have written because they are concerned that Santa will not find them because they have moved,” Bauman said. “It is very important to have a return address and that it is legible.”
In Pickerington, children may drop off their letters at “The North Pole Express” mailbox, located in front of city hall at 100 Lockville Road.
Don Ross, with the city’s parks and recreation department, says the city usually receives between 250 and 300 letters.
Pickerington’s parks and recreation department, along with about 15 volunteers from the Senior Center, partner in the project.
Reynoldsburg
Letters to Santa may be dropped off at city hall or sent to the Parks and Recreation Department, 7232 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. Deadline to submit a letter is Dec. 20.
Pickerington
Letters to Santa may be dropped off at “The North Pole Express” mailbox in front of city hall, 100 Lockville Road, Pickerington. Deadline is Dec. 12.
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