2020 Glen Ellyn Santa Letters: Poignant, Uplifting and Practical

2020 Santa Letters: Poignant, Uplifting and Practical.

Glen Ellyn Chamber Santa Letter Program Delivers Smiles

The Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce with the help of local merchants and non-profit organizations supplying elf power, delivered smiles and an autographed letter from Santa himself. Over 1500 letters were received and mailed to local children in the Glen Ellyn area. The effort was funded by the Village of Glen Ellyn.

The Letters to Santa Mailboxes was a new program this year in downtown Glen Ellyn so that children could mail their Christmas wishes to Santa Claus. The goal was to draw their parents to the area to shop in the stores and take out from the many downtown restaurants.

Many individuals and organizations contributed to the program. The program was managed by the Chamber and Julie Spiller of Gather and Collect Vintage Store led day-to-day operations. Anna Semprevino of Locally Made Design created the mailboxes and together with Spiller, tirelessly searched for return addresses for children who omitted that information on their letter. The printing was fast-tracked by the House of Graphics. Volunteers from the Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare Society, The Kiwanis Club and the League of Women Voters assisted Santa in answering the letters with a personalized note and photo of Santa himself.

“We were thrilled to create this program in downtown Glen Ellyn to bring some cheer to local children during such a challenging year.” said Dawn Smith, Glen Ellyn resident and Executive Director of the Chamber. “Stores and restaurants are really hurting in the pandemic so we had the added bonus of increasing foot traffic downtown.” Chamber member Julie Spiller added “Watching kids line up to drop off their letters and reading them helped me get back in the holiday spirit after a trying 2020. I was glad to be part of the magic!”

The letters from the children were equally joyous and heartbreaking with mentions of relatives suffering from Covid-19, requests for baby sisters or puppies and advice to Santa to keep healthy during the pandemic. A child named James drew pictures of masks and hand sanitizer, requesting that Santa “follow CDC Covid Safety Protocols.” Nikki asked for Santa to “make Covid go away,” and Ally suggests that Santa “find some time to relax.” One child asked Santa for the coronavirus “to go away because I am struggling in school.” Oscar wishes “for my family to have health and for you too, Santa.”

Francesca spoke for many when she asked for Santa “to give hungry kids food, toys and a roof over their head.” Many were polite and asked about Mrs. Claus or the reindeer. Others got right to their wish list, complete with URLs and cut out photos to make it easier for Santa to get just the right item. House elves played a big role in many letters. As Mikayla pointed out, “Charlie has been holding me accountable.” Santa has taken note of the letters’ wish lists and has returned the letters.

Parents can pick up the letters from Gather & Collect in downtown Glen Ellyn in January. The Chamber plans to make this an annual program, giving children a direct line to Santa Claus every Christmas.

About the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce:

The Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce is a service and action organization, composed of members who invest in the economic, civic and cultural well-being of the community. Members help support the work of the Chamber, based on their resources, abilities and interests, with a broad scope of opportunities to serve. The Chamber is a not for profit organization 501(c) 6 that is wholly funded by membership dues and events.