I loved Ben Crandell’s story about him playing Santa Claus for special needs students in Fort Lauderdale (“What you learn as an unlikely first-time St. Nick in South Florida,” Dec. 25).
This is what the holiday should be about — bringing joy to someone who needs it. Thanks to you — and Ben.
Sun Sentinel staff writer Ben Crandell dresses the part before making his first-ever appearance as St. Nick at Fort Lauderdale High School on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
As a practicing Jew, one might think that I have little to do with Christmas. But our synagogue, Temple Beth El of Boca Raton, through its Giving Tree in cooperation with many social service agencies, provides many thousands of presents to about 2,000 adults and children this time of year.
Nearly all recipients are not Jewish, and for most of them, these are their only gifts. Hundreds of congregants and volunteers buy, wrap and deliver the gifts, all anonymously. The Christmas spirit is nonsectarian.
Allen P. Lev, Delray Beach
Warming hearts everywhere
I never tire of reading the holiday editorial, “Yes, Virginia.”
This favorite of mine is guaranteed to warm your heart and get you in the Christmas spirit. Each time I read the 1897 letter to the editor to the New York Sun from a precocious 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon asking if there really is a Santa Claus, along with editorial writer Francis P. Church’s wise reply, I read it with relish.
Even though the editorial is 128 years old, the words are fresh and crisp, as though they had just been written and I was reading it for the first time. May this delightful piece of literature be passed down from generation to generation and enjoyed each year on Christmas.
Long live “Yes, Virginia.” And let us all keep on believing.
JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater
Praise for the bishops
How heartening that Florida’s Catholic bishops are seeking a halt to ICE deportations during the Christmas season.
Even though Christmas is not part of my religious tradition or observance, I have always thought the message of peace and goodwill to all offers an especially welcome light at a dark time of year.
And in a year when the current administration has been hard-hearted to far too many, I appreciate the moral stand the bishops are taking.
Merri Rosenberg, Boca Raton
DeSantis and the arts
As one of the many performers in Andrea Bocelli’s Dec 21 performance at Kaseya Center in Miami, I would like to thank Gov. Ron DeSantis for attending and staying for the whole performance.
I was just wondering: If the governor has such a high opinion of the arts in Florida, why doesn’t he then restore all the money he vetoed and took away from the arts and arts education? He has to realize that without the arts in children’s lives, education is only halfway accomplished.
His war on public education has gone on for too long, and I’m afraid that if another Republican Trump crony is elected, we will see the demise of the public education system as we know it.
Seth Wexler, Plantation
One of the many black olive trees along Las Olas Boulevard is shown on Monday, May 20, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Leave Las Olas alone
I must say, the black olive trees on Las Olas Boulevard are amazingly beautiful. Please do not remove them.
They have lush, glossy dark green leaves that stay year-round. This gives the boulevard a rich, verdant canopy. Please, no!
Dr. John D. Mudrock, Miami
Please submit a letter to the editor by email to letterstotheeditor@sunsentinel.com or fill out the online form below. Letters may be up to 200 words and must be signed with your email address, city of residence and daytime phone number for verification. Letters will be edited for clarity and length.