Local U.S. Army soldiers from the NYC Recruiting Battalion and Bronx Recruiting Company once again fulfilled a Christmas promise to a Bronx family in need. On Christmas Eve, they delivered over 50 presents to the Santos family, continuing a heartwarming tradition that began four years ago.
In 2020, Nelsy Santos wrote a heartfelt “Dear Santa” letter to the U.S. Army’s New York City Recruiting Battalion. This was unusual; the battalion rarely receives such letters, and Ms. Santos’ was the only one they’d ever received. Facing unemployment and hardship, she requested warm clothing and basic necessities, choosing to send her letter to the Army because of their association with NORAD’s Santa tracking mission. “NORAD’s holiday mission is to track Santa Clause across the globe,” explained U.S. Army Recruiting Commander Capt. Stephen Rogers.
Four years later, with her children now aged 8 to 19, the Army surprised the Santos family with another generous gift. Ms. Santos expressed deep gratitude for their continued support. U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Pearson reflected on the true meaning of the gesture: “I don’t think it’s predominantly about gifts, but rather the gift of being together.” The act of kindness underscores the spirit of Christmas giving, demonstrating the lasting impact of a single letter and the ongoing commitment of the soldiers to the Santos family.
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