‘Letters to Santa’ return to CHI Health Hospitals in Kearney and Grand Island

KEARNEY, Neb. — Children can once again send their wishes straight to the North Pole, thanks to the return of the “Letters to Santa” mailboxes at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney and CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island.

The bright red mailboxes are set up inside Good Samaritan’s West Tower entrance and in the main lobby at St. Francis.

Kids can drop off their letters now through December 15, and no postage is needed.

If families include a return address, each child will receive a handwritten response from Santa.

Stefanie Roper, who leads the employee engagement team at Good Samaritan, says the tradition has grown quickly. Last year, around 120 personalized letters were sent back to local children — often including a small treat inside.

The letters program is one of several holiday activities CHI Health is offering this month, including a hot chocolate bar for staff, chapel events and a growing nativity-themed light display at Yanney Park.

CHI’s sponsored night at the park is scheduled for December 13, when volunteers will hand out glow sticks to visitors.