THE POSTAL SERVICE STOLE CHRISTMAS?

After a postal worker in Maryland identified a sex offender volunteering for the Operation Santa Program, the Postal Service says it is dropping the program.

In 1954 the small town of North Pole, Alaska (yes it is a real place), began volunteering to respond to the letters sent to Santa ClausSanta Claus every year. They even post marked the responses from the "North Pole" and signed the letters as "Santa's elves" and "Santa's helpers".

Citizens of North Pole are referencing the Postal Service as the "Grinch" trying to steal Christmas. The program has been a North Pole tradition and they take their place very seriously. Having named the streets to stay with the theme of the town, such as Kris Kringle Drive and Santa Claus Lane.

Douglas Isaacson, Mayor of North Pole, agreed that precautions are necessary for the safety of the children , but doesn't think that one person on the East Coast actions should change their tradition.

Yes they should show more than one form of ID and have a background check before they can do any responding to the letters. Changes that have been made include the volunteers do not have access to the childrens family and addresses.

The problem being the Postal Service "redacts the last name and addresses on each letter and replaces them with codes that match computerized address known only by the post offices- and leaves up to individual post offices if they want to go through the time-consuming effort to shield the information.

Pam Moody explains that dealing with tighter restrictions are not "feasible" in Alaska.

Moody does stress that the kids can still send letters to Santa. The services will not affect any private organizations.

The only thing that will be halted is the joy for the town of Santa, North Pole to receive the letters unless changes are made before Christmas.

This is a big disappointment to the small town who pride themselves on the name and the meaning of what they have done for over 50 years of tradition.