Amanda Franco is pictured with the Neptune Library’s Santa mailbox.
By DENISE HERSCHEL
Neptune Library co-workers Amanda Franco and Nicole Dykeman have been busy little elves at the township library as they recently created Santa’s mailbox for the library’s littlest patrons.
For the third year, youngsters can pay a visit to the children’s department and drop off a handwritten letter addressed to Santa. The mailbox was put out Nov.18. The last day to submit a letter is Dec. 16.
“We want to make sure that Santa has enough time to respond to everyone,” Franco said. “Kids can just place their letter in the mailbox. Every night the elves come to the library to retrieve the letters.”
Franco said she came up with the concept to do Santa’s mailbox in 2022. The response has been outstanding in the community.
“We get about 70 letters during the season. Nicole and I go through the letters before we send them off to Santa before Christmas arrives. We make sure that we have their names and a return address so that Santa knows where to send the letters!” she said.
Franco said some of the items that kids have asked for include Nintendo switches, art supplies, dolls, games and of course, Taylor Swift merchandise.
“We just love to offer anything we can for the kids in our town,” Franco said. “This was something that we know we could do and something that kids and parents would enjoy. We hope to see the kiddos with their letters soon at the library!”
The Neptune Township Public Library is located at 25 Neptune Boulevard. Santa’s mailbox will be available for children to drop off letters during the library’s regular business hours, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m; Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m to 5 p.m.
