Postal Service to Resume Santa Letters Program

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — North Pole elves have good reason to celebrate again, thanks to a decision by the U.S. Postal Service to resume a Santa Claus letter program that's thrilled children from around the world for decades.

"It's great!" Gabby Gaborik, chief elf among several dozen volunteers, said of the agency's Friday announcement that it's reversing a recent decision to drop a program begun in 1954 in the small Alaska town of North Pole. The program was suspended over privacy concerns.

Gaborik's group, Santa's Mailbag, responds to thousands of letters addressed to "Santa Claus, North Pole" each year. The letters will now be answered by the North Pole elves under tightened privacy rules implemented nationwide by the Postal Service in response to security concerns that arose in a similar program in Maryland last year.

The group also has been assigned a specific address that will allow its volunteers to run their own alternative program, bypassing the stringent new rules and perhaps lessening the Santa letter load for the Postal Service. The restrictions don't affect privately run letter efforts. Children can write to Santa through that program at: 1 Santa Claus Lane, North Pole, AK 99705.

Read The Full Article

177 Comments

|««12 3 4 »»|

Capt. Yossarian

Thank God! I was really starting to worry about this.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 01:56 AM

PeterTheRock

"War" on Christmas? Really? Who are the conspiracy theorists now?

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 12:24 AM

savjack

Yeap....same people who want to give us obama care.....

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 04:29 PM

Woody B

YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS!!!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 12:09 AM

Semper Fi

At least something is allowed to carry on tradition. GO SANTA CLAUS,,at least there is someone/something I can still believe in,,after God.

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 11:16 PM

COMMANDER AND PIMP

AS LONG AS THEY DONT CONTINUE TO GO POSTAL

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 10:16 PM

FAILURE-IN-CHIEF

Retailers begin annual cash- in on Christian holiday they refuse to mention by name.

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 07:53 PM

Have we LOST our common sense !!

You mean the ACLU hasn't sued someone over this yet !!!
Good gracious !! Bring on our legal Gitmo hero; Eric Holder !!!

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 06:58 PM

Jan in VA

That's fantastic. My kids will be so Happy!

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 05:49 PM

Blaze F

Even though I'm a pagan, I'm thinking about finding the most religious x-mas card and send it to the ACLU. I might celebrate Yule as opposed to Christmas, but it makes that time no less special for me. And my religion is just that MY religion, no one elses. You don't push, I don't push. I have respect for all. I will even hold the door open for nuns out of respect for who they are and what they do. It's who I am.

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 05:12 PM

JustinCase

Thanks for posting all that info there Blaze. Nice to learn about new folks and their different kinda traditions and whatnots. Happy Yule time tidings and things atcha big guy...and uh...have some turkey on Thursday (but only if you like it). Not sayin' you have to eat turkey. You do your thing and that's cool. Ok. Alright. Uh...by now.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 07:16 PM

Independent in AZ

@Blaze F
First, the story has nothing to do with the ACLU, so why did you bring them up? Second, say you are Pagan and then you claim to have respect for all and that you don't push yet you are thinking about sending the "most religious x-mas card" you can find to the ACLU? Why? What would that accomplish and what does it have to do with the story?

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 11:38 PM

Jenney

http://www.manhattandeclaration.org/
Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience
This is awesome! Sign it & pass it on.

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 04:43 PM

REVOLT 8am To 4pm Non-Stop

IF OUR GOVERMENT IS PUSH ONE PARTY RULE FOR THE MINORITIES!
THEN LET TELL THE GOVERMENT TO GO TO HELL & HAVE CHRISTMAS WHERE WE WANT & WHEN WE WANT & WHATEVER WE WANT! TO HELL WITH WHO DON'T LIKE IT!
JOIN US IN A NEW EFFORT TO STOP THE INSANE ATTACK ON OUR COUNTRY BY OBAMA & THE LIBERAL LEFT!
STOP OBAMA CARE !
STOP THE 9/11 TRIALS!!
CONTACT THE DEMS IN THE SENATE & TELL THEM THAT WE WILL NO LONGER BE IGNORED!
& WE DEMAND A END TO THE ONE PARTY RULE & THE DICTATORSHIP STYLE GOVERMENT THAT IS BEING FORMED BY OBAMA!
A REVOLT IS NEAR! IF OUR GOVERMENT CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY!
KEEP THE 9/11 trials out of NEW YORK!
FIGHT OBAMA & THE LIBERAL LEFT!
URGENT! Sign The Letter To President Obama
FOLLOW THIS LINK http://stormlobby.50webs.com STOP obama!!!!
support the letter sent by 9/11 Families for a Safe & Strong America and theBravest.com
urging you to not bring the terrorist detainees held at Guantanamo Bay to trial in Article III courts.
CLICK HERE TO EMAIL ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE AskDOJ@usdoj.gov.
CONTACT CONGRESS & THE SENATE AT http://stormlobby.50webs.com
LINK TO MY WEBSITE! USE MY LINK IN YOUR POST! SEND PEOPLE TO MY SITE TO LOBBY CONGRESS!
http://stormlobby.50webs.com
Follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/stormlobby

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 03:42 PM

SamLarson

Quit spamming

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 08:15 PM

REVOLT 8am To 4pm Non-Stop

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 03:42 PM

Jenney

American Patriots: Hate to be so honest, but, see you allowed this to happen for many years, you let them take the Xmas trees away from school, you allowed them to take the crosses, the nativity sets cause foreigners were insulted, no more pledge in the schools, no more this, no more that. This is your Country, no Country would allow you to go there and allow you to demand anything. Don't allow these communists, these radicals to continue to take what is rightfully yours. Why haven't the English elected an African American, or the French? I haven't seen any Blacks in any important positions, they want Americ a to be the guinea pig for everything. Castro loves barack because he is destroying America, they are so jealous of what America is. WE, foreigners, are guests here, we should all respect your traditions. If not, get the hell out.

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 03:20 PM

CAB

Just heard that Raleigh N.C. is banning Mrs Santa Claus from their parade. It seems they dont want to confuse the children who Santa really is. They also are banning anyone who wears a Santa hat. Guess What People of Raleigh, Santa is the one with the beard!!!!

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 01:48 PM

Scrutineer

Now I'M confused. I thought the one with the beard was Sonia Sotomayor?

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 02:12 PM

CAB

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 01:48 PM

love

For all of you upset about THE WAR ON CHRISTMAS let me ask you a couple of questions. Are you aware of all the Pagan traditions woven into our Christmas? Where do you see Santa and overspending in the Bible? As Christians how do you reconcile all this?

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 12:41 PM

Blaze F

Actually, I'm a pagan, so it's all good.

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 02:43 PM

Jim in JAX

It really is very easily done for anyone with half a brain. Most adults know the difference between religion and tradition. You're welcome to worship a rock as far as I'm concerned - but at least let others have their beliefs and traditions.

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 02:13 PM

biker

I will continue to celebrate Christmas..you continue to celebrate whatever you do. Just don't tell me I can't...your rights stop where mine start. Stay away if you don't like it.

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 12:57 PM

d

TOTALLY AGREE, Let us be, LET US ENJOY OUR CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS...............we let you do your thing, LET US DO OURS!!!!

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 05:44 PM

good ol' girl

Well said, Biker - I'm with you 1000 percent. I'm sick of being told what I can or can't celebrate, say, think, or do. The "few" are speaking for the "many" and it's time to put a stop to it.

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 01:50 PM

spinfree

Did I hear someone say burned out and broke. Sounds like this country after Obama gets done with it. Oh well, Merry Christmas anyway.

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 12:30 PM

Who is Jane Akre?

Your tax dollars at work.

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 11:01 AM

Janet in Florida

Spend $.44 for a stamp & send a CHRISTMAS card to ACLU, 125 Broad Street, 18th floor. N.Y., N.Y., 10004 They want all crosses off federal property & I think of Arlington cemetary. The office there could be busy opening many, thinking there might be a check enclosed to them ? Merry Christmas to all !

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 10:06 AM

REVOLT 8am To 4pm Non-Stop

JOIN US IN A NEW EFFORT TO STOP THE INSANE ATTACK ON OUR COUNTRY BY OBAMA & THE LIBERAL LEFT!
STOP OBAMA CARE !
STOP THE 9/11 TRIALS!!
CONTACT THE DEMS IN THE SENATE & TELL THEM THAT WE WILL NO LONGER BE IGNORED!
& WE DEMAND A END TO THE ONE PARTY RULE & THE DICTATORSHIP STYLE GOVERMENT THAT IS BEING FORMED BY OBAMA!
A REVOLT IS NEAR! IF OUR GOVERMENT CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY!
KEEP THE 9/11 trials out of NEW YORK!
FIGHT OBAMA & THE LIBERAL LEFT!
URGENT! Sign The Letter To President Obama
FOLLOW THIS LINK http://stormlobby.50webs.com STOP obama!!!!
support the letter sent by 9/11 Families for a Safe & Strong America and theBravest.com
urging you to not bring the terrorist detainees held at Guantanamo Bay to trial in Article III courts.
CLICK HERE TO EMAIL ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE AskDOJ@usdoj.gov.
CONTACT CONGRESS & THE SENATE AT http://stormlobby.50webs.com
LINK TO MY WEBSITE! USE MY LINK IN YOUR POST! SEND PEOPLE TO MY SITE TO LOBBY CONGRESS!
http://stormlobby.50webs.com
Follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/stormlobby

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 09:35 AM

Jenney

MERRY CHRISTMAS.... MERRY CHRISTMAS. Just to make a point, when I shopt anywhere that has tried to change to Happy holidays, I ask atthe door what their policy is on saying MERRY CHRISTMAS. If the person is an atheist or radical Muslim, they aren't very nice. Do you think Salvation Army will still have a Santa Claus at the stores?

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 08:52 AM

Sharon in VA

Salvation Army is out early this year. They haven't started saying Merry Christmas yet; I guess they are waiting until after "the big eating day" right around the corner! :.) Thanksgiving

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 09:02 AM

B.O.H.I.C.A.

Dear Santa - my tree is not very big but maybe you can get this present under my tree - All I want for Christams is MY COUNTRY BACK !!!!

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 07:00 AM

d

Amen to that

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 05:45 PM

love

I finally got my country back last Christmas!

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 12:53 PM

PeterTheRock

To Scrutineer-"treasonous filth"? "traitor"? Were you on the House on Un-American Activities Committee or something? Or with the SS? FYI: Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. S.J.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 11:09 PM

Scrutineer

This is NOT your country, traitor. In 2010 we'll TAKE OUR country back. Then you'd better beware, you treasonous filth.