While many youngsters write letters to Santa Claus expressing their Christmas wishes, local children have an opportunity to receive a personalized letter in return through the Twin Valley Letters to Santa program.

The effort started last year when Morgantown resident Erin McMullen set up a mailbox at the Caernarvon Township Building in Morgantown. She, along with a few other volunteers, answered each of the letters.

"Last year, we did a tiny setup with a mailbox, and we had 100 letters come through. Myself and two other 'elves,' as we call ourselves, wrote back to each of those children," McMullen said. "The letters were very personalized. If they wrote they were looking for Legos, we wrote something about Legos."

The volunteers assisted Santa in answering the letters as they came in throughout the holiday season. "Some of the (return) letters were handwritten and some of them were done on the computer with a handwriting font," McMullen noted.

This year, the Letters to Santa program has expanded. In addition to the mailbox, six children's playhouses will be set up next to the pavilion at Caernarvon Friendship Park, 3287 North St., Morgantown, beginning on Saturday, Nov. 26. Hot chocolate will be served on opening day from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., weather permitting.

"This year, we are making it a lot more interactive and fun for the kiddos. We have six little playhouses that we have decorated like a little Santa's village," McMullen explained. The village will feature a Gingerbread House, Reindeer Lodge, Toy Workshop, Candy Cane Lane, Winter Wonderland and Candy Kitchen. "There will be special (item) for them to take home from each house," she said. "In the Toy Workshop, there will be a little toy for them, and at the Candy Cand Lane, there will be candy canes."

Children may drop off letters through Thursday, Dec. 15. All letters should be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The mailbox will be accessible 24 hours a day. "People can stop at any time," said McMullen. "(The location) is different than last year but still provides cameras, lights, security and lots of parking. Safety was very important (when choosing the location)."

McMullen emphasized that the response letter does not guarantee children that they will receive what they asked for. "We don't make promises. (If a child requests a doll), we would write, 'I heard that you want to have a doll. That would be special. At the toy workshop, we love to make dolls.'"

Twin Valley Letters to Santa is being sponsored by McMullen and her husband, Andrew. Loughin Real Estate Group, where McMullen works, is also contributing financial support to the effort, and staff members recently helped paint the houses for the Christmas village.

McMullen is also the administrator for the Twin Valley Gift and Take Facebook group, where members share items they no longer want with other members at no cost. "I have a strong passion to help the community," she said.

For more information, search for the "Twin Valley Letters to Santa" Facebook group. Those who would like to contribute to the project or volunteer should contact McMullen via the Facebook page or email erin@loughinrealestate.com.