The Parks and Recreation Department in Fairfield is making sure families still feel the magic of the holiday season by continuing a 50-year tradition of Santa's mailbox.

Santa's mailbox magically appeared outside of the town's rec center just as it has in the past, except this year there are four more additional boxes where children can drop off their letters to Santa.

Officials say because of the pandemic, many holiday events were forced to be canceled or are go virtual. The Parks and Recreation Department recruited Santa's little helpers to scatter four more mailboxes throughout town.

"We wanted to put mailboxes close to home, so they didn't have to venture out if they didn't feel comfortable," Parks and Recreation Director Anthony Calabrese says.

Officials say Santa has already gotten 500 letters so far, and that's double the amount than this time in years past.

Although Santa might be busy in his workshop, he's taking time to pen a response to every good little boy and girl he gets a letter from, officials say.

"You don't have to require people to get together, but you can still bring the community together in a different kind of way," Calabrese says.

Santa is accepting letters through Dec. 18. 

Click here for a list of Santa's mailbox dropoff locations.