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News Tue Dec 08 2009
Steve Albini Is No Grinch
Every year, local record producer Steve Albini and his wife Heather Whinna play a bit of Santa and Mrs. Claus themselves, personally delivering gifts and donations to families who write letters to Santa. And we're talking real Christmas miracles here; they have been distributing more than $100,000 each year to less fortunate Chicago families, part of the money being raised through Second City's annual fundraiser (a large chunk of the funds coming from an auction for an in-house concert from Wilco's Jeff Tweedy).
But this year, due to changes at the U.S. Post Office, the names and addresses on those letters are blacked out. The original letters and contact information are still kept and filed by the Postal Service, but now donations have to be submitted to them directly and are sent by mail. The Postal Service cites privacy concerns in the changing of the Letters to Santa program last year.
In his Whinna's own words: "Just the idea of mailing a gift, it almost makes me think the postmaster general has never been to a housing complex. If there's no human contact, it will kill the program." The couple is currently seeking other ways to reach those needy families, including going through the Jane Addams Hull House Association. (via Pitchfork, Tribune)
