COVINGTON, Ky. — City workers in Covington are trying to make the holidays a little brighter for kids in the local community. 

What You Need To Know

  • Covington workers want to brighten up Christmas for kids in the region

  • Kids or their parents can drop off a letter to Santa Claus at city hall, and Santa will write back

  • The mailbox will be open until Dec. 16

  • On that day, the city is also hosting “Happy Cov Holidays” from 5 p.m. To 7 p.m.

From now until the end of next week, any child who drops off a letter to Santa Claus at Covington City Hall will get one back from the big man himself.

Covington is a city with no shortage of community programs available to its residents. Except, until recently, one glaring omission, as Parks and Recreation Division Manager Ben Oldiges pointed out.

“For some reason, Christmas and the holidays seem to always be kind of left off. So this year, we really wanted to do something that would just kind of bring some joy and some cheer to everybody, so they could find some enjoyment in the holiday season. And one of the most magical things kids and families can do is the celebration of Santa Claus,” Oldiges said.

The mailbox, which will be open until Dec. 16, is just inside the lobby at city hall. Oldiges said the letters will go directly to Jolly Saint Nick, and he’ll write every kid back personally. It is possible the parks and recreation department is lending some help, though Oldiges insists that’s minimal.

“It’s gonna actually be Santa Claus that’s gonna be writing the letters back directly, so, we down here in the Cov, we have the connections, so we made a couple phone calls. And so Santa decided he was gonna cut a couple hours out of his busy schedule to spread some cheer a little early before the actual holiday itself.”

In fact, Santa Claus himself, who was definitely not Oldiges dressed up as Santa, showed up at city hall to write a letter back in response as proof.

“Dear Ken,” he wrote. “You have been such a good boy this season. And I appreciated your letter so much. I am very busy this time of year, but I will do my very best to make your dreams a reality. Be good, and Merry Christmas. Santa Claus.”

If that’s not convincing enough, the city is also hosting “Happy Cov Holidays” from 5 p.m. To 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, in the commission chambers on the first floor at city hall.

Guests will get to decorate a custom ornament, enjoy refreshments, and play games. And Santa might make a guest appearance as well.

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