While Canada Post Union workers are currently on strike, their allegiance to the North Pole remains strong. 

"All letter carriers are helping the elves," said Mandi Poss, President of Canada Post Locale 760, which encompasses the Central Okanagan from Lake Country to Peachland.  

 Letters to the big man in red are also being accepted at picket lines in Salmon Arm, Vernon, Kamloops and most other cities around the province. 

Since all letters to Santa were handled by volunteers from the Canada Post Union, the service is able to continue despite the strike. 

"Santa has made sure he has sent out the elves to collect letters from the bins," said Poss. 

Each year the letters sent to Santa managed after-hours by current or retired Canada Post union workers. 

Poss said it will take approximately one week to craft and complete a response so any letters to Santa received over the next week will make it back to children in the 'Nick' of time. 

They ask that this year, all letters include the phone number of an adult that can be called to collect the cards if the strike is still ongoing and the letters cannot be delivered by hand, in addition to a return address. 

Participating picket lines around Kelowna are located at 750 Baillie Ave,  530 Gaston Ave, 190 Rutland Road as well as 5500 Clements Cres in Peachland, #160 - 1445 Stevens Road in West Kelowna and #140 302 Beaver Lake Road in Lake Country. 

"We just want to continue supporting the community," said Poss.