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University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, December 4. 1991
Desperate letters to Santa pile up in N.Y.
The Associated Press
Others encouraged to help needy families
NEW YORK — Letters to Santa, both heart-wrenching and hopeful, have been poured into New York City. Cities with such sands this troubled holiday season.
"I am a very poor woman, and I have three kids," wrote one New York mother. "If you will please send us something to eat, clothes to put (the children) in and toys to play with."
In a tradition that began 60 years ago, postal workers in New York set aside letters addressed to Santa and let the public rumage through them and choose letters from needy families or children they can help.
John F. Kelly, general manager of the New York postal division, said the recession could push the number of letters — most of which are written by adults — above last year's record of 26,000.
"It it's a guess, but based on the way things look now it's going to be a tough holiday season for a lot of people," Kelly said at a news conference Monday to kick off the annual Letters to Santa campaign.
Sorted into cardboard boxes wrapped to look like chimneys, the letters — many of them addressed only to
Santa U.S.A. or North Pole — come from all over the world and range from simple requests for Barbie dolls and other gifts to bulk requests destined to go unanswered.
"I sometimes hear my mom crying at night because my sister, Star, can't talk, and she still gets sick," wrote Christopher of New York. "Me and Ulysses don't want a lot. We just want Star to get better."
Karen, a 7-year-old from Roxbury, Mass., asked Santa to visit her because she was sick.
"I was hoping I be better this year, but I still cannot breathe through my nose so I’m stuck with these stupid machines and taking all this dumb stuff," she wrote. "Why can’t I be well? Please come see me, Santa. I love you."
Many letters asked for toys — all from kids who insisted they were absolutely, positively good this year.
But none were quite as straightforward as one from Christina of Massapeque Park, who cut pictures of four expensive toys from the FAO Schwarz catalog and told Santa to call the store's 800 number.
It does not take much effort to someone to help brighten the holidays for a letter-writer, Kelly said.
Looks fine to me
As a part of the final examination in a civil engineering class, Ralph Beuc, St. Louis junior, surveys the grounds in front of Learned Hall. Beuc and other members of the class took the lab section of their final yesterday afternoon.
SELL IT FAST IN THE DAILY KANSAN
Christmas Gifts from Artisans Around the World...
Purchase a craft that will assist those who need to survive along with their cultural heritage. Proceeds from sale are returned to Artisans in self-development centers.
Hand carved creches *baskets *wall-hangings *brass, teak, and ebony carvings
*greeting cards *candle sticks *wooden toys *earrings *rings
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Brought to North America are SELF-HELP CRAFTS (Mennonite), ESPERANZA SEWING CO-OP (Presbyterian Border Ministry), SERRV (Church of the Brethren) on a non-profit basis, from self-help centers in Central America, Kenya, Botswana, Phillipines, Thailand, Angladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and other countries/regions.
December 2-6, 9 a.m.-5p.m. (Wednesday till 7:30 p.m.) at
Ecumenical Christian Ministries - 1204 Oread (1 blk north of Kansas Union
Sponsors: Lawrence Monnion Fellowship, West Side Presbyterian, Plymouth Congregational, Lone Star Brethren, Lutheran Campus Ministry, Trinity Episcopal, Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice, Ecumenical Christian Ministries at KU
Real Life Wears Real Letters.
A E D
Alpha Xi Delta For All The Right Reasons!
Call Jennifer Flanagan 749-2770 for more information or fill out an information form at the Panhellenic Office.
If you choose to drink - don't drink and drive.
And always remember to buckle up. We want you back safe and healthy!
HAVE A GREAT SAFE HOLIDAY BREAK!
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9:30 AM-9PM THURSDAY,DECEMBER 5TH
25% OFF ANY ONE PURCHASE
We invite you to make your own sale by taking 25% off the regular price of any one purchase in our store*; or any red tag clearance item!
JCPenney
Simply present the attached certificate to receive your 25% discount.
We look forward to seeing you for this special event!
Lawrence store only Make Your Own Sale Certificate Lawrence store only
25% OFF ANYONE PURCHASE*
Present Certificate at Time of Purchase to Receive Your 25% Discount
Excludes Catalog, Salon, Portraits and any prior purchases. Cannot by applied to credit payments or converted to cash. Your discount can apply to the purchase during your one shopping visit. As always, credit purchases are subject to credit review. Minimum
cash value 1/20th of one cent
cash value 1/20th of one cent. JCPenney
Valid 12/5/91 only
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