Prisoner and Firefighters Help Deliver Letters to Santa Claus | News, sports, jobs

Photo by Gage Vota Belmont Correctional Institute Warden Shelbie Smith, left, and Cumberland Trail Fire District Chief Tim Hall pose with the Santa box made by prison inmates.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – Belmont Correctional Institute donated a “Santa Claus Box” to the Cumberland Trail Fire District, providing Belmont County children with a safe place to drop off letters to Santa this holiday season.

Fire Chief Tim Hall said the fire district previously had a Santa box donated by Lowe’s of St. Clairsville, but it was damaged in a severe storm.

“Captain Curtis Kyer came up with the idea of ​​trying to build one himself, so I reached out to Scott Gallagher of Ohio BCI to see if their machine shop could provide some help with the build,” Hall said. “Sebulsky Steel of St. Clairsville donated the steel to us, and Ohio BCI teamed up to build this mailbox for local children to drop off their letters to Santa.”

The Santa Claus box will be on the porch of the main train station until December 20th to ensure that the letters reach the big man in time for Christmas.

“We encourage all local children to drop off a letter and we will ensure it is delivered efficiently to the North Pole,” Hall said. “We ask that a return address be provided either on the envelope or on the letter. We also ask that you exercise caution when delivering your letter to Santa as we still have emergency vehicles leaving and returning to the building.”

He added that a return address is requested so that Santa’s elves can write a letter in response to the children who have left a letter for him.

Hall said if a parent, guardian or relative of a child needs financial assistance, he can indicate that in the letter and he will put the family in touch with an organization or person who can make their holiday a little easier.

Hall thanked Belmont Correctional Institute for its partnership in making the Santa Box a reality.

“We appreciate the partnership between us and Ohio BCI that made this endeavor a success, and we look forward to spreading some holiday cheer and encouraging children to drop off their letters,” Hall said.

Belmont Correctional Institute Superintendent Shelbie Smith said this is the first time the prison has been involved in a project of this type, but added that it continually participates in community projects.

“We always give something back locally. Whether it’s a high school prom or just restoring floats for the parade, we’re always here to help,” she said.