Blackfoot business will respond to Santa letters from local kids this Christmas
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BLACKFOOT – Every year, children write letters to Santa presenting him with their Christmas wishes. This year, thanks to Snake River Travel Plaza in Blackfoot, the children will receive a letter back from Santa.
On Tuesday, the convenience store located at 320 West Highway 26, installed an eight foot tall, five foot wide, specially created mail box to accept letters for Santa.
“Every letter dropped off by Dec. 20 will receive a letter back,” said owner Jace Katseanes. “As long as there is a return address on it.”
The mailbox made of stainless steel was fabricated by Darrel Callison from Quick Draw Welding in Riverside and painted sparkling red by Wes Wixom with Riverside Rods and upholstery. It comes complete with sound effects, snowman steps and a candy cane fence.
“A soundsystem was installed, so when kids open the mail slot a different Christmas song will play,” Katseanes said.
The travel plaza is working with the Greater Blackfoot Chamber of Commerce and the Blackfoot Fire Department to hold a food drive for the Blackfoot Community Pantry from Dec. 11 to 16.
“We are hoping to use the momentum of Santa’s mailbox to help benefit and fulfill a need within our community,” General Manager Lori Cox said.
Katseanes added “We are always looking for fun and unique ways that we can get involved with our community. It’s a way to say ‘thank you’ to our customers for supporting us. We’re inviting everyone to stop by and drop their letters to Santa.”
Katseanes plans to make this an annual tradition.
“Every year we will add something new to it,” Katseanes said.
In the coming weeks Santa will ride into town on a fire engine from the Blackfoot Fire Department and stop at the travel plaza to visit with children.