Chicago based producer Steve Albini and his wife Heather Whinna's annual Christmas charity drive will not be going ahead this year due to a policy change at the Chicago post office.
Every year, Albini - who has worked with artists including Nirvana and The Pixies and Whinna go through thousands of letters addressed to Santa Claus and surprise the ones they deem the neediest with up to $100,000 worth of gifts raised through a charity concert held each year.“There's so much money that it can literally save a family's entire year,” Albini told The Chicago Tribune.
Whereas before ID had to be shown to obtain a letter, now each letter is numbered, with the names and address of the senders blocked out. If you want to make a donation, you can take a present into the post office and they will deliver it.
The Chicago Tribune reports that the U.S. Postal Service has changed their policy of handing over letters to Santa after a convicted sex offender obtained a letter and was planning on contacting a young girl.
The couple are currently looking for a new method to distribute presents.
[Via Pitchfork]
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