Postal Service Employees Bring Military Families Holiday Cheer
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Thousands of letters from needy people hoping to get a surprise from Santa have arrived at our local post offices.
And today the jolly old soul delivered! With the help from some of Sacramento's best postal employees, Santa surprised four deserving families.
Several of Santa's little helpers from the U.S. Postal Service loaded up trucks full of presents to surprise four deserving families.
"Some of the letters really touch your heart," said Ralph Petty, a postal worker.
Next stop: The home of the Stewart family.
"Because of hardship with me, I could not give them what they deserved, so I wrote a letter and asked for help," said Rene Stewart.
Rene wrote her dear Santa letter on behalf of her two grandsons Ethan and Keegan. Their mom has struggled to find work and the boys recently lost their father overseas.
"Santa came through for this guy who lost his daddy in Iraq. He's pretty proud of his daddy and I just want them to have a happy Christmas," said Rene.
Volunteers carried packages inside the family's home. The packages contained everything from clothes to food and even toys for the kids.
"I tell all the moms we are going to cry together because we try to help a few families that are most in need," said Dorothy Cottrill, a volunteer.
Santa and the gang have been making these stops for 15 years.
"In these economic times we have really seen an increase in the letters and the need is so great in our community," said Dorothy.
Many of Santa's little helpers say they're happy to put a little Christmas spirit back into the Stewart household.
"Those servicemen have written a blank check to Uncle Sam and his dad cashed his, so it's so hard for the families left behind. It's warmed our hearts to be able to choose their letter," said Dorothy.
As for Ethan and Keegan, they are just happy their Christmas will be one to never forget.
On Saturday three other families also received a surprise visit from the postal service and Santa.
