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11/28/2003 - EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) -- Combat weather flight airmen here will once again help Santa send out thousands of signed, North Pole-postmarked letters to children worldwide.
The Santa’s Mailbag program started in 1954 by 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron airmen, and has been carried on by those of the 354th Operations Support Squadron.
Each year, the unit receives thousands of Dear Santa Claus letters and Christmas-wish lists. Volunteers in the 15-person unit sort and read the letters, select an appropriate reply from Santa Claus, and mail the letters with an official North Pole postmark.
“Last year, we received about 3,000 letters,” said Capt. Thomas Crenshaw, combat weather flight chief.
The volunteers will continue to process letters through Christmas. The flight must receive letters to Santa by mid-December to ensure a reply before Christmas. Children whose letters arrive too late will get a special “after Christmas” letter from Santa.
Children can write to Santa at:
Santa’s Mailbag
354th OSS/OSW
2827 Flightline Ave. Suite 100B
Eielson AFB AK 99702-1520
There is no cost for the letters, but self-addressed stamped envelopes or donations to help defray the cost of postage are accepted.
Source - af.mil
The Santa’s Mailbag program started in 1954 by 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron airmen, and has been carried on by those of the 354th Operations Support Squadron.
Each year, the unit receives thousands of Dear Santa Claus letters and Christmas-wish lists. Volunteers in the 15-person unit sort and read the letters, select an appropriate reply from Santa Claus, and mail the letters with an official North Pole postmark.
“Last year, we received about 3,000 letters,” said Capt. Thomas Crenshaw, combat weather flight chief.
The volunteers will continue to process letters through Christmas. The flight must receive letters to Santa by mid-December to ensure a reply before Christmas. Children whose letters arrive too late will get a special “after Christmas” letter from Santa.
Children can write to Santa at:
Santa’s Mailbag
354th OSS/OSW
2827 Flightline Ave. Suite 100B
Eielson AFB AK 99702-1520
There is no cost for the letters, but self-addressed stamped envelopes or donations to help defray the cost of postage are accepted.
Source - af.mil