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NATCHEZ — The Natchez branch of the United States Postal Service celebrates Christmas each year in a special way.

When the branch has its annual office Christmas party, they invite a family in need of a little holiday cheer to come to celebrate with them, and they include a visit from Santa Claus.

The Dobbins family children Kelvin and Amira were selected to be showered with Christmas gifts by the Natchez branch. Employees each donated $20 to $25 of their own money to the cause and their contributions were matched by the local National Association of Letter Carriers union to help them shop for around $1,500 worth of Christmas presents.

The children received toys and clothes and the post office gave a little something extra to their grandpa.

The family also received an exclusive peak inside the mailroom of the post office, where traditionally only employees are allowed.

Frank Patti, a retired letter carrier from Natchez, has had the duty of dressing up like Santa for more than a decade.

“It’s fun to see the excitement on the children’s faces,” commented Patti in a recent issue of Natchez the Magazine. “Everybody at the post office has a good time.”