Snail mail might seem archaic, but it's still the best way to contact a certain Mr. Claus.

Fortunately, local Santa believers have access to Santa's mailbox, a North Pole connection co-sponsored by community service organization State College Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) and the Corner Room, 100 W. College Ave.

Santa's mailbox, which sits in front of the Corner Room, is in its fourth year of providing kids of all ages with the opportunity to write to Jolly Saint Nick and receive personalized, handwritten responses, said Larry Walker, State College Jaycees treasurer.

"All you have to do is provide us with your name and return address, and Santa will respond," said Ellen Konkle, State College Jaycees vice president of community outreach and Santa's mailbox chairwoman.

The Jaycees is a civic organization that performs about 40 community-related projects a year benefiting children through senior citizens, said Larry Walker, State College Jaycees treasurer.

The Jaycees expect to answer more than 400 letters this year, Konkle said. Collection will continue until Sunday, Dec. 22.

Anyone who wants to contact Santa can drop a note in the regulation mailbox donated by the State College Post Office.

"It's also bolted down so someone doesn't swipe it," David Weaver, Corner Room general manager, said.

The Corner Room developed the mailbox with the Jaycees to coincide with its breakfast with Santa, which occurs between 8 and 11 a.m. every Saturday in December until Christmas.

"The breakfast is a great time for kids to write letters," Konkle said.

The Corner Room has been connecting kids with Mr. Claus for more than 10 years.

"Kids are encouraged to come down, give Santa their list, have a picture taken with him and stay for breakfast," Weaver said. "It keeps the Corner active and lively."

Jaycees members pick up most letters at the Corner Room location but also help Santa answer letters forwarded by the State College Post Office.

Konkle said letters range from serious to hilarious.

"Some kids just want presents," she said. "Others are more concerned with how Mrs. Claus and the reindeer are doing."

Kids aren't the only ones writing to Santa. Konkle said the Jaycees receive letters from college students asking to pass final exams and informing Santa whether they've been naughty or nice.

"Some of them are written on the way home from the bars," Konkle said. "Those are hard to read but entertaining."

State College Santa believers range from toddlers to middle-aged men, Konkle said.

"We received a letter [on Tuesday] written on behalf of a 41-year-old gentleman who still believes in Santa," Konkle said. "He's autistic. We wrote a letter to him from Santa Claus thanking him for believing."

Konkle said the Jaycees expect to help Santa write more letters this year than any previous Christmas.

"People have a greater need to write to Santa this year," Konkle said. "It has to do with the economy. A lot of parents are out of jobs this Christmas season, which is hard on the kids. ... The kids are trying to provide for their families, asking Santa for gifts for their parents and siblings. Those are the best letters to read."