By Leighah Beausoleil
Contributing Writer
WESTBOROUGH — When kids drop off letters to Santa in the big red mailbox at the Westborough Post Office, they receive a reply from one of his many elves.
For 36 years, those replies have been written by students at Westborough High School. United States Postal Service Clerk Tom Brault started the program, and it’s grown exponentially, with more than 400 letters one year.
The Christmas magic was among Brault’s favorite parts of his job. In September, Brault will retire from his Post Office position after 38 years to focus on spreading holiday joy as a Santa Claus impersonator.
“It’s been an honor serving Westborough,” he said.
Brault started at the Post Office at 150 East Main Street the same month it opened in 1988. He was looking for a role with stability and, as an Upton resident, somewhere he could be close to family. His shift would begin at 3:30 a.m. and there were “trays upon trays” of mail to be sorted by hand.
The town has continued to grow and change in many ways, but 15 years in, he noticed a decline in mail and a rise in automation. The business has become package-oriented, with a computer telling him everything he needs to know. The office went from a dozen clerks to six, but he also doesn’t have to come in until 5 a.m. now.
In many ways, the office has lost its “personal touch,” but Brault continues to find ways to make a difference – even in the briefest of moments, and especially around Christmas.
“It’s been fun. It’s been a long time,” he said.
Brault recalls that his Christmas letter program once received a letter from a child who just moved to town. All they wanted was a friend. Because it’s a community-based effort, any problems the children confess to Santa can be handled by the school district – something Brault has always appreciated.
“It really does make a difference,” he said.
Beyond letters, Brault looks forward to embodying Santa himself. Taking after his own father who served as Santa for 40 years, Brault inherited the suit and the mission.
It was a “magical” feeling putting on that red suit for the first time – and now he’s finally got the beard to match. Brault’s done quite a few gigs so far and is getting ready for his Christmas in July debut at Uhlman’s Ice Cream this summer.
He’s noticed the impact he’s been able to make in his holiday-time role, especially having spent Christmas Eve at The Willows.
He recalls instances when the seniors with dementia can’t quite remember their children who’ve come to visit, but he’s been able to provide them with some Christmas cheer as they excitedly identify the man in the red suit.
“It makes my day,” he said. “There’s no words.”
Though he’ll be keeping connected with the community in this way, Brault said he will miss his customer interactions at the Post Office. Although brief, there were many moments where he could help improve someone’s day or lend a hand when needed.
Whether it was helping someone find their keys, carrying in heavy packages, or watching families grow as they come in to renew their passports – every moment had its own kind of magic to it.
“People don’t realize that day-to-day interaction means a lot,” he said.
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