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 inmates of the prison.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – Belmont Correctional Institute donated a “Santa box” to the Cumberland Trail Fire District, providing children of Belmont County 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 that was donated by Lowe’s of St. Clairsville, but it was damaged during a bad storm.

“Captain Curtis Kyer came up with the idea of trying to construct one ourselves, so I reached out to Scott Gallagher of Ohio BCI to see if their machine shop would be able to help us construct something,” Hall said. “Sebulsky Steel of St. Clairsville donated us the steel, and Ohio BCI came together to make this mailbox for local children to drop off their letters to Santa.”

The Santa box will be located on the Main Station’s front porch from now until Dec. 20 to ensure that the letters get to the big man in time for Christmas.

“We encourage all local children to drop off a letter, and we’ll make sure that it’s efficiently delivered to the North Pole,” Hall said. “We do ask that there’s a return address put on either the envelope or their letter. Also, we do ask when dropping off their letter to Santa please use caution because we do still have emergency vehicles leaving and returning to the structure.”

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 loved one of a child requires financial assistance, they can indicate that on the letter and he will put the family in contact with an organization or person who will be able to help make their holiday a little easier.

Hall thanked the 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 come to fruition, and we look forward to spreading some holiday cheer and we encourage kids to drop off their letters,” Hall said.

Belmont Correctional Institute Warden Shelbie Smith said this was the first time the prison was involved with a project of this nature, but she added that it steadily is involved with community projects.

“We’re always giving back locally. Whether it’s a high school prom or just restoring floats for the parade, we’re always helping out,” she said.