How Santa temporarily sets up shop in Ranlo each December
Last weekend, a Ranlo family welcomed nearly 200 Gaston County children to their home, where they were met with Santa Claus, the Grinch, and one toy from their Christmas list.
Donna Norman started Santa’s Mailbox in 2020 with her brother, Mike Payne, father Don Payne, and the rest of their family.
After losing his wife Bobbie in 2016, Don Payne wanted to do something nice for the community, according to Norman.
According to Norman, her parents always made Christmas special for herself and her brother.
They thought the best way to give back would be to make Christmas special for children in the community.
Don Payne has purchased a mailbox that said, ‘=Letters to Santa, and the family thought they would make that a reality.
“The first year we had maybe 40 letters,” Norman said. “People didn’t really know about it.”
The following year, that number had doubled, and this year, Santa’s Mailbox received letters from 174 kids.
According to Norman, Santa’s Mailbox opens the day after Thanksgiving at 1612 Spencer Mountain Road, and every night, one of Santa’s elves checks the mailbox and takes the letters to the North Pole.
Later in the month, Santa will come visit Ranlo, meet any child who wants to see him, and everyone who submitted a letter receives one of the gifts they requested.
This year, Santa was accompanied by the Grinch to help the line go faster, and he will likely make an appearance again next year.
“We want kids to keep believing in Santa Claus and to keep the magic alive,” Norman said.
Several parents have reached out to let Norman know that their children believe Santa lives in Ranlo during the holiday season, and that they refer to the house as Santa’s house, she said.
The event requires a lot of community, according to Norman.
Each year, Ranlo Fire and Rescue drives Santa and Mrs. Claus to the events, and the Ranlo Police Department helps direct traffic.
The whole family works around the clock in the months leading up to December to prepare, Norman said.
The family decorates their home to look like Santa’s temporary house. They provide treat bags, drinks, snacks and a toy to each child.
Norman said by the end of planning and executing the event, she is usually exhausted.
What makes the event possible is the support they receive from family, friends and the community.
Donations of both toys and money are used to make sure the kids get something from their Christmas list.
One community partner who has been hosting toy drives at his business for years was honored at this year’s event.
The first year, the event was in memory of Bobbie Payne, the second year, the event honored Doris Scott Caldwell, from whom Norman bought her home in Ranlo.
Last year, the event honored Glenda Workman, who served the community for many years, and this year, the event was in memory of Phil Poovey.
Poovey was the owner of Par Sales Auction in Dallas, and according to Norman, he spent many Thanksgivings at his shop, collecting toys to donate to the children in his community.
After Don Payne’s death last December, the family was not sure they would continue Santa’s Mailbox this year.
Norman said on the morning of the event, she was sitting at the table talking to her dad in her head and questioning whether they should continue Santa’s Mailbox.
“I was like, ‘Does it even make a difference?’” Norman said.
At that moment Ranlo Commissioner Robin Conner knocked on the door to let Norman know that the town appreciates the event and that it makes an impact.
The family plans to keep the tradition going next year.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Santa's Mailbox celebrates four-year anniversary in Ranlo
