More than just toys
Calgary Santa receives wishes, cries for help from around the world
CALGARY – When Canada Post workers went on strike shortly before Christmas in 1997, Alan Kerr’s young nephew was distraught knowing his written letter to Santa Claus wouldn’t make it to the North Pole in time.
To guarantee the letter would make it to Santa, Kerr created a website where his nephew and others could email their letters. In its first two weeks, it reached 1,000 hits, but 22 years later, the Calgary-based site, emailSanta. com, receives 1.2 million letters addressed to Santa annually from kids all over the world. While most letters ask for toys, puppies or iPhones, Kerr has found kids are also open about bullying, illness or abuse.
“In working with police departments, child psychologists and parent groups, and poring through all of the letters at the end of the season, I can note what the words are that kids use when they’re in dire circumstances because they’re so open with Santa,” said Kerr. “Then we find an appropriate response that is sensitive to that.”
Every kid receives a response “fast as a reindeer flies” from Santa Claus; each personalized using software that highlights keywords from the letter with enough detail to quell any disbelief in the jolly old elf. For the letters that have been flagged with sadness or hurt, Santa’s response includes words of encouragement or ways to get help.
“There’s a big difference in how to respond to a kid who’s said they’re being abused or a kid whose puppy died this year. In the former case, I want to make sure they get help and, where possible, sometimes they give enough information to contact a local police department,” said Kerr.
On average, the 57-year-old contacts law enforcement half a dozen times per year, though he has seen a decline in recent years. In many cases, Santa sends a list of local helplines, encouraging the child to seek help.
“Who knows who else they have to reach out to?” said Kerr.
The website only asks for a first name and allows the option of adding an email address to protect children’s privacy. Besides that, Kerr can only see what city they’re from, where they stand on the “Naughty and Nice list” and what they write. There’s a reminder on the page not to write their address, phone number or surname.
Before putting on the red suit, Kerr formerly worked for the Canadian government and oil and gas companies. Through emailSanta, he’s watched the world change through the eyes of children in every country.
“What keeps me going are the kids’ letters. I just want to keep the magic of Christmas alive because, for some, Christmas memories are some of the best.”
Teachers from small towns help Kerr by telling him about local ice-cream shops or landmarks, so Santa can connect with their students by knowing about their hometown. Every year he receives messages from parents thanking him for helping keep the magic of Santa alive for one more year.
On Christmas Eve, the site blows up with some children writing their last-minute letters and others watching the Santa Tracker, which was recorded to show Santa’s journey delivering presents around the world.