Joy & Cheer: The Courier Delivers to Santa Letter Families

German’s eyes lit up brighter than any Christmas tree or holiday decoration when Santa Claus walked into the room.
The 12-year-old boy, who is mentally challenged and suffering from epilepsy, could not voice his excitement and joy, but his eyes - and his brilliant smile - said it all.
You see, for the second year in a row, The Courier performed “Operation Santa,” collecting children’s - and parents’ - letters to Santa that were sent to the James A. Farley Post Office, and printing them, exactly as they were written.
The letter, written by his father, Daniel, said in part, “I’m writing so I can have some help with my son’s Christmas presents. He is currently attending a special school in Queens. He lives with his parents and 16-year-old sister. I thank you in the name of my son.”
Big-hearted readers and Courier staff then opened their wallets, despite the bad economy, and purchased every toy and article of clothing that these children needed - and then some.
On two Saturdays, December 13 and 20, Santa arrived, bringing joy to underprivileged families in Queens.
“Santa I know you are very busy, but please take time to read my letter,” wrote 11-year-old Mirian. “In this holiday I need your help. I want a gift for my brother Daniel, 5, and my sister Nayeli, 7 months. My mom works but everything is expensive. Please Santa help us.”
When Santa showed up, Daniel was still in his pajamas, and Nayeli’s eyes were wide with curiosity.
Mom Maribel, 29, was ever grateful, thanking Santa again and again.
“I don’t know how to say more,” she said.
It was the same at Samantha’s house, where her brother, Jean Pierre, who is “almost 10,” opened the door in his “Cars” slippers.
“You’re my favorite hero,” wrote Jesse, 8, to Santa.
And it showed.
When his mom said that Santa had arrived, Jesse ran out of his apartment and gave him a big hug, smiling from ear to ear.
This was his first time writing to the North Pole, he said.
“My friends told me to write. I wanted really good presents.”
In his letter, he informed Santa that he loves computers and science, and that his brother Andrew, 10, “loves to be a scientist and [practice] medicine.”
He said that he will write to Santa again next year.
A letter from Sabina asked for clothes and toys for her three children, Jocelyn, Kenny and Michael, ranging in age from 10 years to three months.
Mildred Roman, who wrote a letter for her three-year-old daughter, Caitlin, was on the phone with her sister talking about “Operation Santa,” saying that she didn’t know if anyone was going come this year - when Santa pulled up.
“I was really surprised, I didn’t know if Santa would be able to come this year,” she said. Caitlin, in her pink and purple pajamas, opened up her Barbies and Winnie the Pooh bear and thanked Santa for coming to her house.
Santa also surprised Destini, 17, when he left presents for her and her brother Douglas.
“You just made our day,” said their grateful mother Sara.
And this year, Santa finally got it right for Logan.
You see, he had written a letter saying Santa must have been a little sick last year because he had gotten some presents for a girl, but Logan was clearly a boy’s name too.
Overjoyed at getting “boy gifts,” Logan thanked Santa, as did his mother, who said she was just as excited to see Santa come to their Arverne house.
Another of Santa’s early stops was the Dube family, who had just moved to Jamaica, after Tayo, 3, had written a letter to Santa saying that she had been a good girl and wanted coloring books and crayons for Christmas.
“Mommy, it’s Santa, Santa’s here,” Tayo said as Santa knocked on the door with a sack full of presents. “He gave us a lot of presents; he’s special Tayo said.
Santa also brought presents for Tayo’s 6-year-old sister Tollani.
“I think I’m having a dream,” Tollani said.
After Santa handed out lots of presents to the two girls, Tollani asked Santa a question.
“Are you coming back tomorrow,” the little girl wondered.
Santa told her that he had a lot of other boys and girls to visit before Christmas, but rest assured that The Courier will be back again next year, making the holidays a little brighter for those in need.