Henrico mail carrier featured in Hulu series ‘Dear Santa: The Series’
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- If you find yourself browsing through Hulu -- or any ABC-owned station (which we know 8News viewers do) -- looking for a holiday special, you might stumble across a familiar sight. This season of the Sweet World Films docuseries "Dear Santa: The Series," features Henrico's Regency Branch Post Office. "It was just magical," city mail carrier Shirlene Smith reflected. Smith was one of many U.S. Postal Service employees who helped ship a little bit of magic from the North Pole right here to Central Virginia -- first class. The docuseries "Dear Santa," follows the 112-year-old U.S.P.S. "Operation Santa" program, which spotlights how anonymous people across the country help bring kids' Christmas wishes to life by "adopting" their Santa wishlists. Kids like Langston gathered at Henrico's Regency Branch Post Office to write a letter with the help -- and support -- of local postal workers. "I was nervous at first," Smith recalled. "But then, after the kids and stuff [started] coming in and we started interacting with them, it was all smiles and joy." In each "Dear Santa" episode, viewers meet postal carriers from places all across the country --like New York City and Atlanta, and even Henrico County. "I think of myself as a local celebrity!" Smith laughed. These "Human elves" help bring the holiday spirit. The participating kids don't know it yet, but by Christmas, everything they asked for will land right at their doorstep. However, Santa's sleigh might look a bit different -- taking the shape of those familiar mail trucks we see delivering packages every day. Dear Santa is a fun-filled feature curated for the holiday season, but to Smith, the series has an even deeper meaning. "Just … life in general," Smith said pensively when asked what this journey meant to her. "You know, we don't know when anybody's last day is gonna be on Earth. So, just bringing the memories and the laughter and enjoy, you know, smiles and ... just being grateful." Smith also shared a message to the kids out there. "Santa is always watching and Santa don't play," the jolly carrier chuckled. Smith also reminded viewers that she and her colleagues are members of the community and love their neighbors, so she urged people to return that energy by helping postal workers stay safe -- measures like keeping one's porch lights on when carriers are out delivering late at night. You can view the series on ABC-owned TV stations and on Hulu.
VENN
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- If you find yourself browsing through Hulu -- or any ABC-owned station (which we know 8News viewers do) -- looking for a holiday special, you might stumble across a familiar sight. This season of the Sweet World Films docuseries "Dear Santa: The Series," features Henrico's Regency Branch Post Office.
"It was just magical," city mail carrier Shirlene Smith reflected.
Smith was one of many U.S. Postal Service employees who helped ship a little bit of magic from the North Pole right here to Central Virginia -- first class.
The docuseries "Dear Santa," follows the 112-year-old U.S.P.S. "Operation Santa" program, which spotlights how anonymous people across the country help bring kids' Christmas wishes to life by "adopting" their Santa wishlists.
Kids like Langston gathered at Henrico's Regency Branch Post Office to write a letter with the help -- and support -- of local postal workers.
"I was nervous at first," Smith recalled. "But then, after the kids and stuff [started] coming in and we started interacting with them, it was all smiles and joy."
In each "Dear Santa" episode, viewers meet postal carriers from places all across the country --like New York City and Atlanta, and even Henrico County.
"I think of myself as a local celebrity!" Smith laughed.
These "Human elves" help bring the holiday spirit. The participating kids don't know it yet, but by Christmas, everything they asked for will land right at their doorstep. However, Santa's sleigh might look a bit different -- taking the shape of those familiar mail trucks we see delivering packages every day.
Dear Santa is a fun-filled feature curated for the holiday season, but to Smith, the series has an even deeper meaning.
"Just … life in general," Smith said pensively when asked what this journey meant to her. "You know, we don't know when anybody's last day is gonna be on Earth. So, just bringing the memories and the laughter and enjoy, you know, smiles and ... just being grateful."
Smith also shared a message to the kids out there.
"Santa is always watching and Santa don't play," the jolly carrier chuckled.
Smith also reminded viewers that she and her colleagues are members of the community and love their neighbors, so she urged people to return that energy by helping postal workers stay safe -- measures like keeping one's porch lights on when carriers are out delivering late at night.
You can view the series on ABC-owned TV stations and on Hulu.
