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Editor's note: We were at first moved to tears by the arrival of this letter at our office on Dec. 21. Then, our reporter instincts kicked in, and we began questioning why someone would send a letter to Santa to the Leesville Daily Leader all the way from New York City. So we called the phone number on the letter and spoke with Wendy.
We believe our suspicions were unfounded, and that the letter, all the way from the heart of Harlem, arrived at our office just in time for a Christmas Eve publication, for a reason.
Turns out, Wendy's friend, wanting to help during the holiday season, did an internet search and came up with two addresses, which she gave to Wendy. One was the address for the New York City Post Office, which participates in Operation Santa Claus, and, through the help of volunteers, helps supply children with basic necessities. The other address was the Leesville Daily Leader, which had been asking readers to send in their Santa letters for publication. Wendy wrote to both addresses, thinking that both were charity organizations that might help her provide for her daughter. As of Wednesday, our phone call to her was the only response she'd received. So here, dear reader, is Wendy's letter to the Leesville Daily Leader written on behalf of her 3-year-old daughter Gia. Our prayer is that it will in some way ensure a Merry Christmas for Wendy and baby Gia.
On behalf of the Leesville Daily Leader and its staff, have a blessed and Merry Christmas!
Dear Santa,
My name is Wendy Duran and I am writing this letter because I have a little girl; her name is Gia Irizarry. She is three years old now and unfortunately, I've had to raise her on my own. I am a single mother and her father has never been in our lives; the last time he saw her, she was one month old.
We are now living in a room at my mother's apartment; she has helped us with everything. If it wasn't for her, I don't know where we would be but I still struggle each day to support my baby.
The reason for my letter today is because my wish this year is to be able to give her a beautiful Christmas and give her all the things she needs right now, like hats, sweaters, gloves, jeans, coats and footwear. It's just so hard for me to get her everything she needs because I don't make enough money and I don't have anyone else to help me with her. It's so depressing for me to think about the upcoming holiday because I know I want to be able to get her everything she needs.
Please help us and not only will baby Gia have a wonderful Christmas, but so will I.
Thank you and Merry Christmas,
Wendy Duran
536 W. 159th St.
Apt. #10
New York, NY 10032
Baby Gia's clothing size — 3T
Shoe size — 8
Coat size — 3T
Editor's note: We were at first moved to tears by the arrival of this letter at our office on Dec. 21. Then, our reporter instincts kicked in, and we began questioning why someone would send a letter to Santa to the Leesville Daily Leader all the way from New York City. So we called the phone number on the letter and spoke with Wendy.
We believe our suspicions were unfounded, and that the letter, all the way from the heart of Harlem, arrived at our office just in time for a Christmas Eve publication, for a reason.
Turns out, Wendy's friend, wanting to help during the holiday season, did an internet search and came up with two addresses, which she gave to Wendy. One was the address for the New York City Post Office, which participates in Operation Santa Claus, and, through the help of volunteers, helps supply children with basic necessities. The other address was the Leesville Daily Leader, which had been asking readers to send in their Santa letters for publication. Wendy wrote to both addresses, thinking that both were charity organizations that might help her provide for her daughter. As of Wednesday, our phone call to her was the only response she'd received. So here, dear reader, is Wendy's letter to the Leesville Daily Leader written on behalf of her 3-year-old daughter Gia. Our prayer is that it will in some way ensure a Merry Christmas for Wendy and baby Gia.
On behalf of the Leesville Daily Leader and its staff, have a blessed and Merry Christmas!
Dear Santa,
My name is Wendy Duran and I am writing this letter because I have a little girl; her name is Gia Irizarry. She is three years old now and unfortunately, I've had to raise her on my own. I am a single mother and her father has never been in our lives; the last time he saw her, she was one month old.
We are now living in a room at my mother's apartment; she has helped us with everything. If it wasn't for her, I don't know where we would be but I still struggle each day to support my baby.
The reason for my letter today is because my wish this year is to be able to give her a beautiful Christmas and give her all the things she needs right now, like hats, sweaters, gloves, jeans, coats and footwear. It's just so hard for me to get her everything she needs because I don't make enough money and I don't have anyone else to help me with her. It's so depressing for me to think about the upcoming holiday because I know I want to be able to get her everything she needs.
Please help us and not only will baby Gia have a wonderful Christmas, but so will I.
Thank you and Merry Christmas,
Wendy Duran
536 W. 159th St.
Apt. #10
New York, NY 10032
Baby Gia's clothing size — 3T
Shoe size — 8
Coat size — 3T
