A letter from Santa, thanks to local Lions

WITH Christmas fast approaching, Santa has enlisted the help of his elves at the Lions Club of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads to respond to all his mail.

Led by members Brenda Walter and John Claringbold, the Lions Club has been tasked this year with collecting the letters sent to Santa from children aged from 1 to 10 across the region and ensuring each of them receives a personal letter in response.

Ms Walter has been helping Santa with his letters for more than 10 years, and after a short break last year, is eager to continue spreading joy during the coming festive season.

In 2022 alone, she and Mr Claringbold helped Santa send letters to 480 children.

“I get so much pleasure out of receiving the letters and sending these out,” she said.

“I just love these letters and I just hope that when the child gets their letter, they get as much joy out of our letters, as Santa this end gets from theirs.

She said, as both a grandmother and great grandmother herself, she has witnessed first-hand the excitement children feel when they receive a letter from Santa.

“You’ve really got to sit here and see [the letters from the children] to appreciate them,” Ms Walter said.

“Sometimes they’ve got bubble stickers and all things stuck over them with ‘I love you, Santa’ all over it.

“I’ve sat here some nights and laughed until I’ve cried.

“They’re beautiful, but some of them, you’ve got to be a Philadelphia lawyer to read the writing!”

To assist Santa and his elves to get the letters to the right place, parents are asked to please write the first and last name of their child, along with their age and address, either on the envelope or the letter itself.

Mr Claringbold said it was important that the traditions of Lions continue, and the ‘Letters from Santa’ initiative is one the club will keep doing for as long as possible.

“I think the letters are just delightful. They’re really sometimes very funny.

“It’s so important for the kids and for the community.

“We want to make sure that Lions are recognised for, not just doing sausages, but for doing other things as well.”

Those interested in taking up the initiative this year, are also invited to include a gold donation in the envelope, which will be put back into the community and help fund next year’s “Letters from Santa” initiative, along with the Lions Club’s many other projects.

To receive a letter from Santa, letters should be sent to P.O. Box 229, Ocean Grove by December 16.

Alternatively, letters can be emailed directly to Ms Walter at [email protected]