COPPERAS COVE, Texas — Copperas Cove residents are writing letters to Santa this year, but not to ask for gifts, but to give one instead.
C.J. Sowell has brought joy to many children by playing Santa Claus for the Copperas Cove community for the past 15 years.
Sadly, Sowell has now been placed on hospice care for thyroid cancer, which Julie Moser, a friend of Sowell's, says has spread to his brain.
A local nonprofit has set up a community mailbox where residents can write letters to Sowell telling him how much he has meant to them, in order to bring joy to the man who brought it to so many others.
"His eyes light up when we talked about the letters so I can see he's understanding what we're telling him and showing him about how this community loves him," said Moser. "Because he's the one who's done it for everybody and now's our chance to do it for him."
The "Letter to Santa" box can be found at the Raising Cane's restaurant off US-190 East in Copperas Cove. Community members, friends and anyone else whose life Sowell touched is asked to write him a letter, thanking him for his time, generosity, memories or anything else they would like to say to their beloved Santa.
Moser, who is also the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Pink Warrior Angels, which supports cancer survivors going through active treatment, has also set up a fundraiser for Sowell through the organization. 100% of the donations will go to the Sowell family.
A link to the fundraiser can be found here.
Moser said once all of the letters are collected, they will be pinned on the walls of Sowell's home.
Those who are unable to make it to the community mailbox can also send Sowell their letters of appreciation to P.O. box 295 Copperas Cove, Texas 76522.
"Pray for a miracle, never give up hope and if you want to reach out and help the family, do so," said Moser.
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