Ocoee woman helps Santa write letters

Mail carrier responds to children's wish lists

OCOEE, Fla. – Kathy Marlow believes if a child writes a letter to Santa Claus, that child deserves a response.

Marlow has worked as a rural postal carrier at the Ocoee Postal Station for 22 years, and she told News 6 on Thursday that she got concerned about the number of letters addressed to the North Pole piling up.

"Can I take the letters and can I respond to the children?" she asked her postmaster. "And they're like, 'Sure.'"

Marlow said she bring the letters home and helps Santa by reading each one.

"Dear Santa and Mrs. Claus and the elves," reads one letter. "I only want a few things for Christmas. It's not a lot. It's five things."

She responds with a letter she drafted on her computer.

"No matter how busy we are, we always make time to go through all the cards and letters we received each day," her letter reads.

With his permission, she says she hand-signs each one with Santa's signature, and she said she usually adds a personal note.

Marlow said she never realized how much the letters mean to the families who live along her delivery route until she got one special letter addressed to the North Pole.

This one was from a mother.

"Thanks again for bringing joy to my kids," the letter read. "Love, Mommy."

Marlow said Santa isn't seeing as many letters this year, but it doesn't matter.

She said even if there were more letters, she would sit at her desk and make sure children's letters got answered.

"Their heart goes into this, and so, I just feel like my heart is for the children," she said.


About the Author:

Erik Sandoval joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2013 and became an Investigator in 2020. During his time at News 6, Erik has covered several major stories, including the 2016 Presidential campaign. He was also one of the first reporters live on the air at the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

Recommended Videos