It may seem a little premature to be writing about Christmas in the month of October, but we have a story about a lady who one year pinch-hit for Santa Claus, and enjoyed it so much that she has ever since made it her hobby.

Pinch-hitting for Santa Claus strikes us as a grand kind of hobby, and for this reason we have decided to pass on the idea to readers of the Record early enough to allow them to get out the reindeer and sleighbells in their own community if they feel so inclined.

Blanche Clay, who works for Fireman’s Fund Group agents R.J. Zarn & Company, Van Nuys, California, has become the unofficial Santa Claus of Van Nuys.

The whole thing started some years ago, when the children of some of the men in the Zarn organization wrote letters to Santa Claus and Miss Clay answered them. She had so much fun doing this that she went to the postmaster of Van Nuys and asked if she might have all the letters addressed to Santa Claus as they came into the Post Office, and promised that she would take care of replying to each letter.

The postmaster naturally was glad to think that the youngsters were not going to be disappointed and handed over the letters as they came in; and the plan worked so well that it has been repeated by Miss Clay every year since.

Here are typical letters received from children:

"Dear Santa: Richard wants a little air plain, a little electric train. Pleece send a good one this year. A little truck and a little trailer, a big wagon."

"Dear Santa: A new dollie for Joan. Get one that wets their pantys and drinks out of a bottle and a little car. And bring a tiny dollie for the new baby, rapped up like a prince."

"Dear Santa: Since we have no chimney this year I’m afraid you will have to come in our door or window. Dear Santa all I want for Christmas is a bicycle and small cedar chest with a lock and two keys. I also would like to have a black purse with a zipper in it. Well so long until next Christmas when you will hear from me again. Your pal_______. P.S.—Please write me and my sisters and brothers each a letter."

"Dear Santa Claus: I want a pair of slacks for Christmas. I would like a little broom to and a writing desk. But don’t forget the poor children."

"Dear Santa: I want a umbrella tent and a single shot air rifle. I want a puppy to."

"Dear Santa: I am a little girl seven years old. My name is Doris Mae. I am a good girl. I eat my spinach and ceareal. I would like you to bring me a dy-dee doll, a bicycle, a table and chairs. I need stockings. With love_______P.S.—Please Ans."

"Dears Santa Claus: I hope you are feeling very well. My brother is 9, my sister is 8, baby brother is only 2, and I am 9. For Christmas I would like to have a great big doll, a cooking set and a drawing set. For my sister a hoot nanny and a pair of skates. For my brother a bat and a ball and a wagon. For my little baby brother a fire engine to ride in and a piano to play on. For my mother a pair of slippers. For my daddy a overcoat and a pair of slippers. For my grandma a hat and a pair of slippers. Last of all a box of nuts and candy for all. Lovingly…"

"Dear Santa Claus: Pleace bring me a book, a game and slippers and candy and nuts. I would like a bicycle but daddy says I am to little and besides he has no money this year. Merry Christmas to you dear old Santa Claus."

Miss Clay finds it better to make her replies fairly uniform and without any particular promise. One of her replies read:

"Well, well, another year has rolled around again. Did you write to me last year? You really have asked for a lot of gifts, and if you don’t get everything you have asked for just remember there are a lot of other little girls and boys to visit, and if I left each one of them just everything they asked for I’m afraid someone would be left out. Be a good child, mind your mother and go to bed early every night."

It would be hard to find a better way of celebrating the kindly spirit of the Christmas season than by bringing cheer to children whose parents are not in a position to give them some of the things they long for.

Does Miss Clay’s hobby suggest anything to you?

[04-01-03-004-0049 Fireman’s Fund Archives]