A local member of Santa Claus’ holiday team is once again making it possible for Pontiac children to send him letters in the month leading up to Christmas.
Norway Bay resident Britney Gauthier launched her Santa’s mailbox project for a second year on Saturday, inviting children to write in to Santa, with the promise that he will write back and even deliver a small gift.
The launch event at Gauthier’s home in Norway Bay featured a special visit from the much-adored Spider-Man, played by Gauthier’s stepson Kayden Gauthier, and his sister Annabelle Leblanc as Santa’s helper, who were available throughout the afternoon to take pictures with the children dropping off their mail.
Gauthier started this festive project last year, installing a series of mailboxes across the Pontiac where kids could drop off their letters. By Christmas she had received about 300 letters to Santa, and ensured each writer got a response from the jolly man himself.
This year, she’s doing things a bit differently, and will herself be travelling to Shawville, Bristol, and Portage du Fort with one mailbox, which will live inside a slot in Frosty the Snowman’s top hat, an approach that enables her to interact with the kids more.
“It’s more hands on, it’s less about picking up a box at a store,” Gauthier said. “I actually get to see the kids and be here.”
This year, she’s also using the opportunity to collect donations for Campbell’s Bay-based food bank Bouffe Pontiac.
Those wishing to get in touch with Santa can mail letters at the following locations:
