Letters from Santa Claus

Letters to Santa program returns to Parkersburg South

PARKERSBURG - The elves at Parkersburg South High School will again be helping to make sure letters to Santa Claus from area children are delivered to the North Pole. 

This marks the fourth year of the English program at South, which provides personalized responses for letters to Jolly Old Saint Nick. 

Letters can be sent to: Santa’s Helpers, 1511 Blizzard Drive, Parkersburg, WV 26101.

Photos of handwritten letters also can be emailed to: pshs.elf@gmail.com or kathryn.nestor@k12.wv.us

Be sure to include a physical mailing address and children’s names so Santa can mail a letter back.

Teacher Justin McKown said the program has been very successful, with the class receiving about 500 letters each year.

“This year, I have help from two other English teachers at South, Ashlee Britton and Katie Nestor,” he said. “They are both amazing and instantly wanted to be involved in the program.”

McKown said about 180 students in grades 9-12 will participate in the project this year, making sure each letter to Santa receives a personalized response. 

Letters received by Dec. 2 will have replies delivered before Christmas. However, due to COVID-19 and the rush of holiday mail, letters received after Dec. 2 might take a little longer to answer. Even so, McKown said, the elves want parents to know all letters will receive replies, so even if you didn’t get to put your letter in the mail quickly enough, Santa will still receive your message. 

“We will take letters after Dec. 2, but we cannot guarantee that they'll be delivered before Christmas,” McKown said.