Alarmed by a decrease of letters to Santa on the 50th anniversary of the movie, "Miracle on 34th Street," and the 100th anniversary of the "Yes, Virginia" letter, Postmaster General Marvin Runyon appointed legendary actress Maureen O'Hara to be the U.S. Postal Service's first official Chairperson to head a new, national Letters to Santa Program.

"Many postmasters have reported that the number of letters to Santa are down in their cities this year. I'm concerned that parents have stopped believing," said Postmaster General Runyon. "I am thrilled that Maureen O'Hara has agreed to chair this new program because of her close association with the magic of Christmas."

In a telephone conversatin with Postmaster General Runyon today, Maureen O'Hara accepted the appointment saying, "I was part of a "Miracle on 34th Street," when the post office delivered bags of children's letters to Santa and proved his existence in a court of law thereby keeping children's belief alive.

"It sometimes seems as though the true meaaning of Christmas is lost in its commercialization. Today's children need the magic of Santa Claus more than ever," she explained. "As Chairperson of the Letters to Santa Program, I will help get their letters to him," she said, adding that children still call her 'the lady who knows Santa Claus.'

"In the few days remaining before Santa leaves the North Pole, I want to tell you what's at the top of my own Christmas list," said O'Hara.

"First, I want parents to remember when they were children, and the excitement of the holiday season and the anticipation of a visit from Santa Claus. Let each of us help our children have such wonderful and warm memories, and in time, pass them on to their own children. Encourage your children to write to Santa Claus. Have them include their return address so that Santa and his helpers can respond to them. Also, I am asking for more 'Santa's helpers," she said. Interested adults should call their local postmaster to find out how they can hellp Santa Clause respond to every child who has written to him.

Next year, O'Hara said, she plans to develp a formal program and seek support from volunteers so that even more children's letters will be answered and more wishes fulfilled.

"The good news is that in some places such as New York City and Tampa, Fla., children's letters to Santa are continuing to increase," O'Hara said. However, some areas in the country have reported a shortage of Santa letters: Los Angeles; Chicago; Cleveland; Duluth, Minn.; Fargo, N.D.; Wilmington, Del; Wichita, Kan; Des Moines, Iowa; Milwaukee, Wis.; West Palm Beach and Melbourne, Fla.

Groups or individuals wishing to help with Santa letter programs should contact their local postmaster, said O'Hara. Volunteer Santa's helpers can also check on the Postal Service's Web site, www.usps.gov, for a list of volunteer activities in their area that include a postal contact telephone number, she added.

"Let us share with each other the magic of Christmas and of Santa Claus and appeal to our world to have faith, hope and charity," O'Hara concluded.