Submitted photo
Pictured is a ‘Letters for Santa’ mailbox at 14148 Gallagher Street, Mount Union, Pa.

MOUNT UNION — A local family created a way to give back to their community this holiday season by placing a “Letters for Santa” mailbox outside of their home and took to Facebook to spread the word.

The family invites local families to “write to Santa.”

Abigail Aurand, of Mount Union, was inspired by videos she saw online and wanted to create her own “Letters for Santa” mailbox, as she “loves doing this kind of thing,” her spouse, Zayden Clark, shared.

Aurand and Clark did some digging, found a mailbox, decorated it, and placed it outside their home.

They stated on social media that any children in the Mount Union area with a Christmas wish may write a letter to Santa and drop it in the box at 14148 Gallagher Street, Mount Union, Pa.

The mailbox project is similar to an angel tree; Aurand and Clark hope to sponsor as many wishes as they can financially.

Within days, the pair’s post inspired others to step forward and message the family asking to help sponsor children.

Aurand and Clark have received 27 letters and are grateful for the strong support from their friends and neighbors.

The family also received a $100 donation in the mailbox and will accept letters until Dec. 20.

Letters to Santa should include the child’s age, clothing sizes (i.e., tops, bottoms, shoes, coats), a toy or special wish they have this Christmas, a need they have (i.e., a pair of shoes), a drop-off address for gifts, and a contact name and phone number to clarify any information given.

“We truly want to make this season special for the kids in our community,” said Aurand.