For over four decades, Canada Post employees have helped deliver up to 1.5 million letters to Santa each year. However, this year’s holiday season has been disrupted by a labor stoppage, halting the longstanding tradition. This has particularly affected small towns like Port Hope, Ontario, where the festive season holds special significance.
In Port Hope, local postal workers have long volunteered to collect children’s letters to Santa during the annual Santa Claus parade. These workers also dedicate time to ensuring each child receives a response. But this year, with the ongoing strike, many postal employees are hesitant to volunteer, fearing repercussions from Canada Post.
Determined to keep the tradition alive, the town found a solution. The Capitol Theatre stepped in to repurpose an old stage prop as a special mailbox for children’s letters. The large wooden box was painted red and white, adorned with glitter and a North Pole sign, and placed outside the theatre for the entire holiday season.
The initiative was led by Smith and the theatre team, who wanted to bring some relief to the community, especially for children concerned about how they’d send their letters. Smith expressed the importance of preserving the holiday magic, noting that many residents who grew up in Port Hope are now bringing their own children to the Santa Claus parade.
With the new mailbox in place, children can still send their wish lists to Santa, ensuring that the holiday spirit endures in Port Hope, despite the postal strike.
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