Secret Santa, 90291
I'm not one of those people who bashes the postal service. Personally, I find it amazing that I can drop off a letter and have it get to somebody across Los Angeles in a day, or across the country in a few days, or to Paris in under a week.
And then, when I was just starting to syndicate my column and negotiating all the complications of mass mailings, Victoria (who I called "The Bulk Mail Goddess"), at the Venice/Windward Circle post office, was endlessly patient with me, and enormously helpful.
Well, now I'm an even bigger fan. Of the post office, and of some good-hearted anonymous person somewhere in Los Angeles.
The most amazing thing happened to my neighbors. They have two young kids, and they mailed off a letter to Santa, just addressed to "Santa, North Pole." They dropped it in a mailbox in Venice, and my neighbor thought that was that -- just a fun thing for the kids to do.
To her astonishment, the other day, an anonymous package arrrived from Fedex with two gifts in it -- the gifts the kids had requested from Santa. And not chintzy stuff, either, she said. Probably $80 in toys. And really nice, since this family isn't poor, but they aren't printing money either, as the dad is a professor, and the mom is taking time out of her career to be home with her kids, although she has a toy company and occasionally does freelance design projects.
"To me, that's the spirit of Christmas," my neighbor told me. "It's one of the reasons I like to make toys -- to make kids happy."
I called the Venice/Windward post office and talked to Charlene there. She said, when they get letters to Santa they take them to the distribution plant in LA and connect them with people who have called in and asked to sponsor a kid or some kids. Those people send the gifts to the district office, and they mail the gift to the kid or kids. (And yes, the postal service apparently uses Fed Ex -- I asked.)
"That's going to stay with me my whole life," my neighbor said.
UPDATE: For people wondering whether we taxpayers were paying for this, the answer is no. Charlene's information about how the kids get the gifts wasn't exactly right.
I called Larry Dozier, the spokesperson for the postal service in Los Angeles, who said "all the letters mailed to Santa, or Rudolph, or the North Pole," go to a center where "people pick up the letters, go purchase the gifts, and deliver the gifts themselves." They "come down to our office and decide which ones they want to fulfill."
Dozier continued, "Even if we were paying the postage, Federal funds would still not be used. We have not received money from the government since 1982. We are self-sustaining through sales of postage and our various products and services that we provide. That's where our revenues come from."
Nice one part of our government is actually self-supporting and in the black.
SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE: My neighbor just e-mailed me...
I'm glad you shared the story. Many more people will read it, and it sounds like some might even take part in the "scheme." I for one am going to return the favor. When my kids get old enough to no longer believe in santa claus we will go pick out some letters ourselves.
I'm disgusted. Frankly, I think it'd be far nicer to far more people if they stopped subsidizing charity and lowered our postage. Why should I support boring sports (the Olympics) and gifts for somebody else's kids? I think I'll make my grandson send a letter to Santa every year from now on and be sure to fill it with boo hoos about how poor his single mommy is. While it's a much smaller thing, how is this any different than our tax money going to health insurance and mortgages?
Donna at December 21, 2007 9:18 AM
I don't think they can use Federal funds for this -- if I did think that, I would've gotten angry. I'm working at a coffee shop now, but I'm guessing (and assumed) those funds are donated, too. Anyone want to call the central office in LA and check?
Amy Alkon at December 21, 2007 9:29 AM
They're using Federal employees and Federal facilities.
Donna at December 21, 2007 10:18 AM
Geez, whadda Grinch!
I guarantee you this is privately donated monies.
eric at December 21, 2007 10:58 AM
Donna - the letter writer paid for the stamp to "Santa" (distribution plant in LA) and then they used Fed Ex.
Don't worry though ... I get crabby at x-mas too.
dena at December 21, 2007 11:21 AM
They're using Federal employees and Federal facilities.
Oh heavens! You sound like my former father-in-law who was deeply deeply offended that Federal Office buildings had windows, furniture newer than 1940, and any aesthetic or ergonomic considerations towards the employees.
Yes, those people work for us, and they shouldn't have any fun or worthwhile experiences while doing so -- that would be a waste of MY money!!!!
jerry at December 21, 2007 11:24 AM
Personally, I think it's terrific.
jerry at December 21, 2007 11:25 AM
Yes, Donna's the grinch. All the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile.
I wouldn't want USPS to spend money on the gifts (that's involuntary charity, which isn't charity at all), but the fact that they're using a bit of their time to facilitate actual charity is heartwarming.
Splashman at December 21, 2007 11:37 AM
Donna, if I got a letter from your grandson I'd love to buy him a treat. I'm non-religious and haven't believed in Santa since I was 8. But there's nothing more heartwarming than watching a kid's face light up b/c the magic of Santa has been "proven" to him. This isn't about ripping people off (or, if no one's thought of it yet, screwing non Christian kids out of free shit). The parents paid for the stamp and I'm sure the gift giver has to pay to ship the package...no different than any other gift except it's to make a child think "IT'S FROM SANTA!!!"
I had no idea the post office helped funnel off letters to Santa to willing, anon gift-givers. I'm going to the post office tomorrow morning to check! Thanks for the idea, I was so sad I missed the toy drive through work this year so this made me glad!
Even if I don't believe in the teachings of Christianity I still love the warmth and cheer that Christmas brings. And maybe I'm also a little bit emotionally attached to the traditions.
Gretchen at December 21, 2007 1:35 PM
Update on who pays added to the original entry above.
Amy Alkon at December 21, 2007 2:25 PM
A wonderful story. The kind of thing we need more of. I wonder how long it will be before some grinch files a law suit or decides that the whole thing is exposing the Post Office to excessive risk (or exposing the kids, or whoever else the Nanny who Stole Christmas decides to "protect" to excessive "risk") and screws the whole thing up.
Dennis at December 21, 2007 5:12 PM
It's just funny to me that kids in LA believe in Santa. I figured they'd be as jaded at 7 as I am at thirty-COUGHCOUGHCOUGH. Well, it's very cool that their delusions are being reinforced by the government.
P.S. Amy, when are we going to see more pictures of you in elegant eveningwear? Not to be unutterably creepy or anything.
Jim Treacher at December 21, 2007 6:51 PM
These particular children aren't allowed to watch television or smoke crack.
And thank you for asking. Recently bought a $30 vintage Halston. Perhaps I can find something to wear it to.
Amy Alkon at December 21, 2007 7:40 PM
These particular children aren't allowed to watch television or smoke crack.
What are you implying? That there's something wrong with allowing kids to smoke the crack? Good grief, we can't be expected to keep track of everything. We keep him off the tee vee, we keep him off too much sugar. We don't let him stay up late and we keep him in line. Now you expect us to keep him off the crack? Or what? We're bad parents? Give me a break.
I really like this idea. I like it a lot lot. It's better than the sweet gig I worked out with a couple of pen pals, sending each other's kids presents in the mail. Nothing big usually, just something every so often to get them excited. Kids really like to get stuff in the mail, especially packages. With one in particular, the kids also exchange letters, which is even better fun.
But this is totally rocking.
On the down side, my partner has apparently traumatized our son. As I have never been big on the Santa lie, I have only cursory involvement in the Santa conspiracy. Momma decided that I was probably right and decided to have the Santa talk. Only she explained that while there used to be someone very much like Santa, "it was a long time ago and people don't live that long, right? So people just like to give presents in his name because he was such a nice person." To which he replied with horror on his face; "Santa's dead!?!"
I for one am waiting for the; "Is Santa a zombie?" discussion.
DuWayne at December 22, 2007 12:51 AM
My son got two "Dear Santa" letters from his school and, for community service, purchased presents, wrapped and mailed them. Nobody's money was spent on this but ours. I know several classmates who've done the same thing.
ArtK at December 22, 2007 9:19 AM
Bah! Humbug! So freaking sorry to attack that sacred cow (and the biggest advertisement for overeating ever!) Santa Claus. A woman best not be five pounds overweight but Santa's just jolly! Yeah, okay. I believe my comment was about the postage -- not taxes!!! Stop sponsoring boring ass sports too. I don't care if they end the damned Olympics or continue them. Just stop forcing me to pay for them. And how did not facilitating some myth get construed to mean that postal employees shouldn't have any fun or have human working conditions! Bah, humbug! (In case you didn't notice it, most of this post is in jest. Well, half in jest anyway. Happy Winter, y'all.)
Donna at December 24, 2007 11:51 AM
No apologies necessary. Always good to ask questions; especially to wonder who's paying for it (ie, is it us taxpayers?)
Have a skeptical new year! I know I will.
And Merry Kwaanza, Happy Christmas, and all, too.
Amy Alkon at December 24, 2007 2:10 PM
I'm really disheartened and dissappointed at how some Americans think. How can people put a dollar value on the good the Postal Employees do for the general public. Should we excempt ourselves from public service because we may be on the clock? Should your grandmother continue unattended, as she suffers a heart attack on my route? Should we close our eyes to crime as the thugs rampage through the neighborhood? Should the needy go hungry because we can't do our food drive? Should the driver in the burning car burn because we are on the clock? Buddy, the Postal employees do more
unselfish acts of heroism on a daily basis, on and off the clock. I am quite sure, you or a family member has been a recipient of our dedication at no cost to you. I pray to God, that we don't have too many people like you out there.
Angel M. Davila at January 1, 2008 3:36 PM
Volunteerism belongs on the personal clock not the public clock. I'm all for it -- I volunteer my time talking to kids from a less than privileged background about how to make it without being a rich kid.
And there's a difference between stopping to help somebody who's dropped of a heart attack -- sort of supercedes everything else, I think we'd all agree -- and doing non-job acts of charity while on the clock.
Again, great to do them -- as soon as you clock out.
Why would you have a problem with that?
By the way, if it's on the clock, it's not volunteerism, it's careerism -- you're getting paid for it.
Amy Alkon at January 1, 2008 3:58 PM
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