Letters from North Pole help ‘Relay for Life’

n These letters will go a long way, in distance, and in helping the “Relay for Life.”

The American Cancer Society chapter in Myrtle Beach again is raising money for the “Relay” campaign by helping Santa Claus and his elves to send letters, straight from the North Pole on Santa’s letterhead, to surprise children.

For a $10 donation in a request received anytime by Dec. 21 at American Cancer Society, 950 48th Ave. N., Suite 101, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, each child will receive a personal letter from Jolly Old St. Nick himself.

Everyone helping this cause by requesting such a letter is asked to state the youngster’s name, age, mailing address and Christmas wish list, along with a note why the benefactor is proud of the child or some of his or her accomplishments this year.

Tracy Gooley, event coordinator for the American Cancer Society’s South Atlantic Division in Myrtle Beach, recounted the mileage these letters cover, not only as a local fundraiser, but in making children smile when the U.S. Postal Service delivers such friendly letters to each family’s home.

Question | When did this special, spirited kind of fundraiser begin?

Answer | I was first contacted by Santa’s lead elf, Bernard, back in 2005. Bernard asked if I could possibly help with receiving letters at our office that would then be sent on to the North Pole, where Santa would review the letters and write to each child with a very special custom letter. This continued for the next two years. Until this year, I haven’t been able to talk with Santa directly, because he’s so busy all year, so I was very excited to receive a phone call from him asking for my help again this year.

Q. | How many letters are relayed to the North Pole through our local American Cancer Society hands?

A. | In the three years we’ve been receiving letters here, we’ve sent about 75 letters to the North Pole. The letter writing process does take Santa some time, because he writes very individualized letters to each child according to his or her age.

Q. | What special notations and attributes about children for whom letters are requested stand out in your and other volunteers' memories?

A. | Several letters stand out. Santa likes to mention some things that each child had accomplished within the year, such as very good grades and making the honor roll at school, receiving a green belt in karate, and becoming a new big brother or sister. At times, Santa does remind some children that they need to be good listeners for Mom and Dad, they need to not go in their sister’s room without permission first, they need to make their bed, and they need to help take care of the family pet.

Q. | Do you remember receiving a letter from Jolly Old St. Nicholas in your childhood?

A. | Yes, I was so surprised to see a letter come in the mail addressed to me in a large green envelope with silver writing on it from the North Pole. Santa knew a lot about me and whether I was naughty or nice; I don’t know how he knew it, but he did. That letter put a huge smile on my face knowing that of all of the children in the world, Santa took time to write to me.

Q. | How many “Relay for Life” events happen across the Grand Strand, and how many already are confirmed for 2016?

A. | This office handles Relay For Life events in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, Loris, and Coastal Carolina University in Horry County, but we also have Relay For Life events in Marion, Darlington, Florence, Hemingway/Johnsonville, which are all coordinated through this office in Myrtle Beach.

The money raised at the Relay For Life events provides free programs and services right here in our communities. A few of the programs are “Road to Recovery” (free transportation to and from doctor’s appointments), “Reach to Recovery” (a 1-on-1 support system to help cope with the breast cancer diagnosis), “Look Good Feel Better” (teaching beauty techniques to women in active treatment to help combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment), free overnight lodging and support for cancer patients at the Hope Lodge in Charleston, free wigs to women in active chemotherapy, and a help line available 24/7 (800-227-2345).

For information on any of these programs and services please, call that toll-free number – where help is always available, anytime day or night. Having cancer is hard; finding help shouldn’t be.

Q. | How challenging is it for all charities fighting cancer and life-threatening maladies to stay in the spotlight and remind everyone that guards never can be let down in the quest for research and progress to winning these battles for longer, quality lives?

A. | As a grassroots volunteer organization, the American Cancer Society relies on volunteers in thousands of communities to inspire people to help us finish the fight against cancer. It is their stories and efforts that inspire people to take action, so we do have to continually make sure that their stories are heard and celebrated. We have made great progress, but there is still work to be done if we are going to finish the fight against cancer.

This story was originally published November 22, 2015 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Letters from North Pole help ‘Relay for Life’."