Write a letter to Santa, and the Banks Fire District will deliver it to the jolly old fellow himself.
That’s the promise the fire agency made, in partnership with the Banks Volunteer Firefighters Association and with the aid of the United States Postal Service.
“And (the) North Pole,” Banks Fire Public Information Officer Scott Adams wrote in a social media statement made by the district.
Admas asked that writers ensure that the letter’s return address was readable.
“The Jolly Old Fellow himself has assured us that as long as your letters are in to the station (13430 NW Main Street) by Sunday, December 18th, personal replies will be mailed back the week of Christmas,” Adams said.
“So break out the crayons and pencils and let Santa know what is happening with your family as well as what you want for Christmas,” he said.
“We were asked to tell you that this year has been hard on Santa too and although all letters will be read, no promises are being made that every request or wish can be granted,” Adams added.
Santa could not immediately be reached for comment.
The fire district said they had in fact secured the presence of Santa himself at an event at Jim’s Market (12350 NW Main Street) scheduled for Saturday, December 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There, Santa would be available for photographs.
And while it seems Santa and the district are on good terms, this newspaper couldn’t confirm if the presence of the Grinch—Santa’s ill-mannered green imposter—scheduled for Saturday, December 10 at district offices, was known to Santa.
The district confirmed that the Grinch would be available for photographs from 6 to 8 p.m.
That’s thanks to Susie Jurgensen of Roy-based Welcome Home Realty, who is hosting the event.
Local photographer Kayla Duyck will be taking photographs and then making digital copies available a couple of days after the event.
Santa will return Sunday, December 11 starting at 6 p.m. for the 4th Annual Banks Christmas Light Parade down Main Street.
“There is only ONE REAL Santa, and they are authorized by the parade committee,” the application for the parade noted, confirming Santa’s participation in the event.
Chas Hundley is the editor of the Banks Post and sister news publications the Gales Creek Journal and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.