“Kids write Santa this year for basic needs instead of toys - USA Today” plus 1 more |
| Kids write Santa this year for basic needs instead of toys - USA Today Posted: 15 Dec 2010 10:36 AM PST | By Donna Leinwand, USA TODAY Santa Claus and his elves are seeing more heartbreaking letters this year as children cite their parents' economic troubles in their wish lists. U.S. Postal Service workers who handle letters addressed to Santa at the North Pole say more letters ask for basics — coats, socks and shoes — rather than Barbie dolls, video games and computers. At New York City's main post office, Head Elf Pete Fontana and 22 staff elves will sort 2 million letters in Operation Santa, which connects needy children with "Secret Santas" who answer their wishes. Fontana, a customer relations coordinator for the Postal Service, has been head elf for 15 years. "The need is greater this year than I've ever seen it," he says. "One little girl didn't want anything for herself. She wanted a winter coat for her mother." At more than 20 post offices, workers log every letter, black out identifying information except first name and age, and ask the public to respond. Lobby displays promote the program. People return with gifts and letters, which carriers deliver. Cesar, 7, wrote for himself and his baby sister. "This year my moom don't have much money to spend on Christmas gifts so I'm writing to you," Cesar told Santa. "It would make us very happy if you and your elves would bring us toys and clothes." There are more letters from unemployed parents asking for kids' gifts they can't afford, says Darlene Reid of New York City's main post office. One mom sent a turn-off notice from the electric company, Fontana says. A single mother of a girl, 8, and a boy, 2, wrote that she recently lost her job. "I am unable to buy my children toys and clothes," she said. "Santa may you help me with my family?" Tough times are shrinking the number of Secret Santas, Fontana says. Meanwhile, "the percentage of people who need help has increased," says Mark Reynolds at the Postal Service's Chicago district, and about half the letters won't get answered. Melanney, 9, asked Santa for a coat and boots. "I have been a very good girl this year," she wrote. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Kids Asking Santa for Basics This Year - CBS News Posted: 15 Dec 2010 08:42 AM PST This year, kids don't seem to be just worrying if the will be on the naughty or nice list - but about their parents economic problems. U.S. Postal Service workers who handle letters addressed to Santa at the North Pole told USA Today that this year the letters are heartbreaking - and more are asking for basics -- coats, socks and shoes -- rather than toys and games. Pete Fontanta, a customer relations coordinator with the Postal service, has been head elf for 15 years. "The need is greater this year than I've ever seen it," he told USA Today. "One little girl didn't want anything for herself. She wanted a winter coat for her mother." Fontana and his staff of 22 will sort 2 million letters as part of Operation Santa, which connects children in need with "Secret Santas." Among the letters USA Today highlighted was one from Cesar, 7, who wrote for himself and his baby sister. "This year my moom don't have much money to spend on Christmas gifts so I'm writing to you," Cesar told Santa, according to USA Today. "It would make us very happy if you and your elves would bring us toys and clothes." There are more letters from unemployed parents asking for kids' gifts they can't buy themselves. Meanwhile, Fontana said that a sour economy is decreasing the number of Secret Santas. The Postal Service estimates that about half of the letters won't get answered. Melanney, 9, asked Santa for a coat and boots. "I have been a very good girl this year," she wrote. Click here for a map of Post Office locations participating in Operation Santa. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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