Liaison to Santa Claus: Oak Harbor post office employee makes it his mission to get local letters to Santa into the right hands

It’s a job that Dan Miller has proudly held for 20 years. Santa’s messenger. “I make sure letters get to Santa Claus,” Miller said. He’s the liaison to Santa in the northern reaches of Whidbey Island.

By Ron Newberry • December 23, 2013 2:36 pm
Dan Miller holds up two letters to Santa he recently received at the Oak Harbor post office. He said he routes them accordingly.
Dan Miller holds up two letters to Santa he recently received at the Oak Harbor post office. He said he routes them accordingly.

It’s a job that Dan Miller has proudly held for 20 years.

Santa’s messenger.

“I make sure letters get to Santa Claus,” Miller said.

He’s the liaison to Santa in the northern reaches of Whidbey Island.

When mail carriers with the Oak Harbor post office get a letter intended for Santa, often with no address, the letters go to Miller.

He’s worked behind the scenes in maintenance for the post office in Oak Harbor for 32 years, yet has spent the last 20 connected to Father Christmas.

For the past 13 years, Miller’s wife, Nancy, has assisted in making sure letters reach their chilly destination and get warm attention.

“We make sure letters get to the North Pole,” Miller said.

According to Miller, he and his wife enjoy their role in ensuring letters are delivered so that response letters by Santa may be returned promptly.

Letters show up in mailboxes or at the post office with only two words written on an envelope, “To Santa.”

If they are found in a mailbox, the carrier assists by scribbling down the address to assist Miller in getting the letters routed accordingly.

This sort of work often requires a little overtime at home in Coupeville.

It’s a calling Miller wouldn’t trade.

A calling that makes this time of year more special than any other.