The Postal Service And Fox Broadcasting Present Primetime Holiday Magic In The Mail

November 1, 2005, WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yes, America, there really is a Santa Claus! The U.S. Postal Service, FOX Broadcasting, Lions Gate Television, Full Circle Entertainment and Santa will be working their magic this holiday season and adding excitement to the U.S. Mail at the same time. By selecting a few very extraordinary letters out of Santa’s mailbag, holiday dreams will come true for some very special believers.

FOX will premiere a one-hour holiday special titled “Dear Santa” on Friday, Dec. 9, at 8pm ET/PT. The reality show was created to make children’s dreams come true — dreams that were written in letters to Santa Claus from children all across the country.

“Through the power of the mail, the U.S. Postal Service has proudly connected families, friends, and loved ones during the holiday season,” said Postmaster General John E. Potter. “Every year thousands of postal employees, charitable organizations, corporations and individuals participate in making children’s holiday wishes come true by answering the letters to Santa that we receive. We were happy to work on this production and hope it encourages others to visit their local post offices to do the same.”

In 1912, Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to allow individuals and institutions to use letters addressed to Santa Claus for philanthropic purposes. In that tradition, the Postal Service provided Lions Gate Television with letters to Santa from around the country and they chose the letters featured on the show.

The U.S. Postal Service will be promoting the special with point-of-purchase displays in most of its 38,000 post offices; on its website at www.usps.com; and as part of a 40-city tour with Vonzell Solomon, who was a Postal Service employee prior to her run on American Idol. A CD is being produced in conjunction with the television special which will include both original holiday songs and four of the top ten most-played classics of all time. Alicia Keys, Nick Lachey and Vonzell Solomon are among the artists featured. The CD will be sold by the Postal Service in post offices around the country and on its website at www.usps.com/shop.

Other charitable organizations, corporations and individuals interested in making children’s dreams come true this holiday season by responding to their Dear Santa letters are encouraged to contact their local post office to see how they can participate.

Contact Information

Media Relations

U.S. Postal Service

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