Spreading Holiday Cheer Through Letters to Santa
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brother Ryan Parsons, P.M., St. John’s Lodge No. 435, Reading, and his wife, Amy, found a way to bring some much-needed holiday cheer to their neighbors. Since they were unable to take their three young children to visit Santa in person, they decided to pivot, taking on the roles of Santa and Mrs. Claus themselves.
A mailbox with twinkling lights “magically appeared” at the Parsons’ home in Exeter Township right before the holidays. “Santa” had requested the family help give letters addressed to him a response. Every year since, hundreds of letters have been dropped into the mailbox at the end of the driveway. Children, adults – even pets – all write letters to Santa, with requests ranging from traditional gifts, like toys and electronics, to larger asks, like wishing for a sick family member to get better.
Every night during the holiday season, the Parsons’ children collect the letters in a little red sack. They are delivered to Santa and Mrs. Claus, who swiftly respond. Each letter personally addresses individual requests and is placed in a stamped, calligraphy-addressed envelope. Ryan and Amy respond to about 20 letters a night, sometimes working over the weekend.
“At this point, it [writing letters] has become as much as a tradition for us as putting out cookies on Christmas Eve,” Ryan said. “I don’t think we have an option not to continue it. We’re too invested.
“We put out the mailbox on Thanksgiving, and it stays up until right before New Year’s. We try to get as many letters out as we can in that last week, but if we can’t get it out by Christmas Eve, we respond after that.”
During the first year, Ryan used word of mouth and social media to let people know about the mailbox. Today, he uses his Facebook page – Parsons Magic Santa Mailbox – to share updates with the community. (Ryan is vice president of a steel construction company and a part-time magician.)
“It has become a lot bigger than we ever thought,” said Amy, a local elementary school art teacher, of the mailbox. The first year, the family received 220 letters. Last year, they received 578 letters, including some from across Pennsylvania and even from other states. Amy recently suffered a concussion from a car accident and was unable to write as many letters as usual, so generous friends pitched in to help assemble the letters, seal envelopes and stamp them.
“It takes a lot of time, so last year, we luckily had a lot of help,” Ryan said.
In 2024, Ryan shared an Amazon wish list on his Facebook page to help pay for extra supplies to accommodate the demand. Within a week, everything on the list – including paper, envelopes and pens – were waiting at the Parsons’ front door, he said. Some of the “elves” (as Ryan calls the helpers) even purchased store gift cards or gave donations.
The gift cards, which are displayed near the mailbox, are there “in case someone knows a person or people who could use a little more ‘holiday magic,’” Ryan said. “If you’re willing and have magic to give, you’re welcome to leave a gift card.”
Two years ago, the family added a small free library near the mailbox, filled with Christmas and holiday books for people to take or borrow. Some people have donated books for the library or even purchased new books on Amazon.com.
“Our family has been visiting the Letters to Santa mailbox at the Parsons’ house since it started,” said neighbor Ashley Addison, whose husband, Andrew, is a member of Ryan’s lodge.
“As a family with two young children, we loved the idea when we heard about it. It’s a great way to just bring a little extra excitement to the holidays … For us, it started as a replacement for seeing Santa [during the pandemic], but now, it’s a tradition we look forward to every year.”
Brother Steven Shimp, P.M., also of Lodge No. 435 and Teutonia Lodge No. 367, West Reading, said Ryan is a “dedicated community leader whose commitment to family, youth mentorship, the fraternity and his community reflect the highest ideals of Freemasonry.
“The members of St. John’s Lodge are proud to support Ryan and Amy, as we celebrate their example of generosity, kindness and community spirit,” he said.
While the Parsons’ two youngest children still believe in Santa, their oldest son, Max, is starting to catch onto what’s happening. He will most likely join his parents in writing letters soon and continuing the tradition.
For Ryan and Amy, helping Santa is a big responsibility, and one they don’t take lightly.
“The kids share their wishes with us,” Amy said. “We’ve had adults write letters, too, who are having a tough time or can’t afford Christmas. We respond to everything as best we can and try to provide gift cards. It’s a rewarding job, but it’s fun, too. Not a lot of kids get mail, so it’s special. Parents tell us we’ve helped their kids enjoy Christmas.”
To send a letter to Santa or to provide a gift card for someone in need this holiday season, visit the Facebook page or drop off or send the letter/gift card to the following address:
Ryan and Amy Parsons
1004 Hartman Road
Reading, PA 19606
