What's up with the USPS and North Pole, AK? (sex offenders, homes)

[Jerseykat]

Just read the ADN article where the USPS is looking to discontinue
the Santa program out of North Pole Alaska.

They cited privacy concerns. Privacy about what? That little Jennie
wants a pink bicycle?

What gives with that...it's just not right.

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by Jerseykat

Just read the ADN article where the USPS is looking to discontinue
the Santa program out of North Pole Alaska.

They cited privacy concerns. Privacy about what? That little Jennie
wants a pink bicycle?

What gives with that...it's just not right.

There was even something on the news down here about that last night, seems a sex offender is working the letters, and since volunteers it sounded like no way to screen and these kids addresses and info is right there...

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by Jerseykat

Just read the ADN article where the USPS is looking to discontinue
the Santa program out of North Pole Alaska.

They cited privacy concerns. Privacy about what? That little Jennie
wants a pink bicycle?

What gives with that...it's just not right.

too much media last couple years about children not asking for toys but for food, a job for the mom or dad and a home!!
A friend of our is a post master who answers letters to Santa and he said almost 50% last year was children asking for these things and not toys or stuff for themselves....sad state when small children have lost what use to be a magical time of year that was for them.

[Jerseykat]

Dang Granny I need new glasses, missed that part of the article about the Maryland case with the sex offender. Now it makes a bit of sense.

I'm stunned that so many children are now asking for things such as food and homes. It's heartbreaking that they are not asking for toys or items for themselves but for their parents.

[Grannysroost]

Heres a quick link...

Post Office Ends North Pole Santa Letter Replies - wbztv.com (http://wbztv.com/watercooler/santa.claus.letters.2.1322492.html - broken link)

[roadfamily6now]

Originally Posted by blueflames50

too much media last couple years about children not asking for toys but for food, a job for the mom or dad and a home!!
A friend of our is a post master who answers letters to Santa and he said almost 50% last year was children asking for these things and not toys or stuff for themselves....sad state when small children have lost what use to be a magical time of year that was for them.

This was what my kids wrote in their Santa letters. It really hurts when the kids are feeling the effects of it as much as the adults. We can only protect them from so much.

[starlite9]

Use to be that the high school kids did the letter answering for Santa, I don't know when that change to people off the street.

Don't know what the delvery and pick up of the letters for the kids has to do with the USPS is, they get paid both ways with the stamp. Sounds like a weak excuse to quit hauling large volumes of mail to one place. The issue (if there is one) should be made locally where there either is or isn't a person that is unsuitible in dealing with children.

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by starlite9

Use to be that the high school kids did the letter answering for Santa, I don't know when that change to people off the street.

Don't know what the delvery and pick up of the letters for the kids has to do with the USPS is, they get paid both ways with the stamp. Sounds like a weak excuse to quit hauling large volumes of mail to one place. The issue (if there is one) should be made locally where there either is or isn't a person that is unsuitible in dealing with children.

I think since this is a volunteer position, they have no way to screen volunteers? and if there is one that was found, there could be more as it gives the volunteer direct access to what these kids want, what their situation could be emotionally, financially, etc., and they would have an address and possibly phone number for that child...

[lyoness]

It is so heartbreaking. Toledo has a program called Shop with a Cop, where the police union choses several needy kids and takes them shopping for a present for themselves, they are allowed so much to spend and can chose what they want from the store. The past two years the news has said that these children are choosing basic necessities (soap, shampoo, cereal etc), and usually things for their parents or siblings instead of themselves. I afraid the days of the magic of Christmas and believing in Santa are long gone.

[Metlakatla]

Fing sex offenders always seem to weasel their slimy way in to a place where they have access to kids.

I heard that a private group in North Pole is going to try to continue the program.