By Stephanie Froese

Full speed ahead for Santa’s post office

Dec 19, 2010 | 10:30 AM

Postal elves have been busy helping out with the over one million letters sent to Santa Claus through Canada Post.

The Prince Albert branch of the post office has been receiving wish lists from local schools and from individual children.

Arsene Billo is one of the 11,000 volunteers across the country who help out Santa’s post office this time of year. It’s a huge commitment to participate in the program and it’s completely voluntary. Billo estimates he’s helped Santa answer 500 letters.

“We open them up on behalf of Santa; we reply to the letters and send a reply back to the kids and then of course we leave that information to Santa,” Billo said with a wink.

He has been helping out with the letters for several years and has seen a trend in what kids are writing about.

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“I would say there is probably more good boys and girls this year than there’s ever been and less naughty ones … the kids are really sharing they’re really considerate.”

Billo gave examples of kids who had written asking for gifts for other people and good health for their families.

Bev Symchuk coordinates the letter writing program at the Prince Albert Branch. She started to tear up as she recounted some of the more touching letter s to Santa she has read.

“One girl at the bottom of her letter wished for Santa to make her mom better,” Symchuk said.

She said she spends a couple of hours each evening answering letters for the kids who write in.

“I think it’s good because it’s not every day they get a letter that’s specifically addressed to them, especially from Santa,” Symchuk said.

Billo added that the program is good for the kids in terms of their writing skills as well.

sfroese@panow.com

To reach Santa by mail write to:

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