KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
December 11, 2024
By Natalie Cook Clark
These Katy families go the extra mile to make the season more magical through giving kids the opportunity to drop off letters to Santa. Some children may get a personalized response thanks to some Christmas magic and great citizens.
Photo credit: Rachel Trevino-Camacho
Katy Families Go Extra This Holiday Season
Some Katy families go all out to make the season extra magical. Their “Santa Mailboxes” are serving a charity and even responding to Katy kids. Please note the drop-off deadline for each mailbox.
A Magical Tradition
20719 Park Bend
Nottingham Country
Photo credit: Cassandra House
Cassandra House, who lives on Park Bend in the Nottingham Country neighborhood use to run her Santa Mailbox as a way to spread holiday cheer through the spirit of giving.
For seven Christmas seasons the House family has collected Katy kids Santa letters to participate in the Macy's campaign.
"Sadly Macy's has stopped their Believe campaign for make a wish so we are currently are on the hunt for a sponsor to donate to Make A Wish. We just plan to pay out of our own pocket until we can find a company that would like to sponsor," says Cassandra House. "We've also added an exciting twist!"
They encourage Katy families to drop their child's letter to Santa in the special mailbox at 20719 Park Bend Drive. Include a clear return address, and Santa himself will send a personlized letter back.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to critically ill children all across the United States.
“We figured why not have some neighborhood fun while also giving back during the holiday season,” says House.
They encourage families to make this a fun tradition and even take pictures with their kids putting letters in the box. “We would love for everyone to come by and drop a letter,” says House. "This is a free event for children of all ages to experience the magic of the season!"
The deadline to turn in a letter and get a reply is December 20, 2024.
A Personalized Letter from Santa
1810 Abby Aldrich
Williamsburg Settlement
Photo credit: Rachel Trevino-Camacho
Both Rachel Trevino-Camacho and her husband grew up with difficult childhoods.
“I grew up with a single Mom who was sick half my life and barely made ends meet,” says Trevino-Camacho. “She still made Christmas as magical as she could!”
This inspired them to not only make Christmas magical for their children but for all neighborhood kids as well.
In front of their beautifully decorated home in Williamsburg Settlement, the Trevino-Camacho family have a Santa Mailbox, where Katy children can drop-off their letters. Tim owns Camacho Creations where he is a local Carpenter/Contractor so he made the mailbox for the neighborhood and Katy community to enjoy.
To make Christmas magical for all, Rachel checks the box each day and responds to each letter with a return address. Each child also gets a picture of Santa AKA her brother in law’s Dad who is Santa in Minnesota. The deadline to get a personalized letter returned in December 15.
“We just want to share the spirit of Christmas with everyone,” says Trevino-Camacho.
The Tradition Continues
23706 Kingston Ridge Way
Elyson
Photo credit: Julianne Marmol
Last season Julianne Marmol and her family decided to start a new tradition by adding a “Santa Box” to their holiday décor.
“My husband and I decided to start this tradition because we want children and adults to continue feeling the Magic of Santa,” says Marmol. “We believe a handwritten note saying someone is proud of you can go a long way and can make a difference in someone’s life.”
Katy families that drop off a letter to Santa by December 19, 2024 will receive a response. Please include the child’s name a full address.
"Last year’s response was amazing! It was such a joy to read all the heartfelt letters from the kids. Some even included their elves' names and shared how thrilled they were that Santa had sent the elf to spend the season with them," says Marmol. "We're so excited to start receiving letters again and experience the magic of Christmas!"
The family can’t wait to see the response this year and hopes to continue this tradition in the future.
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