Bridgeport kids are compiling their holiday wish lists and making them known to Santa. Dozens of letters addressed to the Jolly Old Elf have already been mailed through the city's special mail service to the North Pole. 

 

"And Santa is diligently working to answer all of them," said City Clerk Andrea Kerr. 

 

This is the first year for the city has been offering the mail service. A festive mailbox stands just outside Bridgeport Municipal Complex and families have been frequenting it since it went up Nov. 1. 

 

“Children of all ages who live in Bridgeport are encouraged to write a letter to Santa Claus with all of their holiday wishes,” said Kerr said.

 

In addition to listing their holiday wishes, the letters have been written in a caring manner, Kerr said.

 

"Lots of kids are asking how Santa is doing, what he has been up to - or if he is ready for Christmas," she said. "They also have been drawing him pictures." 

 

Bridgeport children who mail their letters to Santa by 4 p.m. Dec. 13 and include a self-addressed, stamped envelope, will receive return correspondence from Mr. Claus himself.

 

Kerr said she and her fellow city employees have been excited to start this program, brand new for 2017. She’s been thinking about the project for a few years and it finally all came together when she came upon the perfect mailbox.

 

“I know how excited my kids get when they write their letters to Santa and there are plenty of organizations that have Santa send letters back,” she said. “But there’s something about coming to City Hall to deliver it in our special mailbox and getting a letter back within a few days. It really gives it the small town feel and that’s what I was going for.”

 

Bridgeport City Hall is located at 515 W. Main Street.

 

“Light Up Night” – a joint effort of the City of Bridgeport and the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport - will be held Nov. 30 with special music, visits by Santa and Mrs. Claus, the dispensing of free goodies and, of course, the lighting of the tree on the Benedum Civic Center lawn. Residents may also want to mark their calendars for Dec. 2 which will feature the annual Christmas parade across Bridgeport's Main Street, followed by cocoa with Santa at the Benedum Civic Center. Preceding the 10 a.m. parade will be the annual Jingle Bell Jog at 8:30 a.m.

 

Photos of these cute kids mailing their letters are courtesy of Gwen Craft Murray.