MANHATTAN (WABC) — While 34th Street boasts its famous Christmas miracle, twelve blocks south on 22nd Street, another unexplained miracle unfolds annually. For nearly fifteen years, hundreds of letters addressed to Santa Claus have mysteriously arrived at the same apartment, a phenomenon that continues to baffle residents and onlookers alike.
Jim Glaub, a former resident of the apartment, first received four hundred letters to Santa. The mystery deepened with the realization that this wasn’t an isolated incident; year after year, the letters arrived at the same address. Glaub notes the street’s rich Christmas history, its proximity to Clement Clark Moore Park (named after the author of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” a former resident of the street), suggesting a possible, albeit tenuous, connection to the tradition’s origins. He ponders whether the deliveries might have started as far back as the 1800s.
Initially overwhelmed by the sheer volume of letters, Glaub and his friends began fulfilling the children’s Christmas wishes. These often heartbreaking requests revealed families in need of extra support. This spontaneous act of kindness evolved into “Miracle on 22nd Street,” a non-profit organization that now assists over 1,200 families annually. They have created a website to streamline the process, allowing people to upload letters and connect with “elves” who help fulfill the wishes. One poignant letter recounts a mother’s hope for Christmas cheer for her son, whose spirit is crushed by his father’s absence.
Glaub, himself raised in poverty, understands the significance of these letters, recalling a Christmas when Santa’s visit was made possible by his parents’ own act of generosity. His involvement in Miracle on 22nd Street has profoundly changed him, reinforcing his belief in the power of small acts of kindness to create meaningful change. Even after moving, Glaub maintains contact with the apartment’s tenants, ensuring the letters are collected and the wishes fulfilled.
The current resident, Virginia (a name echoing the miracle of 34th Street), continues the tradition, eagerly awaiting the annual influx of letters and promptly notifying Glaub. The story’s unique charm has captured Hollywood’s attention, with Tina Fey currently developing a movie based on this extraordinary tale.
Ultimately, the true miracle of 22nd Street isn’t just the inexplicable arrival of the letters, but the widespread compassion and connection it fosters. It exemplifies the spirit of the holidays and the power of small acts of kindness to create extraordinary results, embodying the magic that makes New York City so special during the Christmas season.
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