Santa may be in the North Pole but a group of local volunteers are bringing him closer to home.

For the fourth year, residents, staff and volunteers from the Colorado Lutheran Home in Arvada are answering phone calls from children hoping to talk with Mr. or Mrs. Santa Claus. Kids can call (303) 403-3150 for free from now until December 23rd to share their Christmas wishes.

Cathy Callahan of Exempla Colorado Lutheran says that a child will occasionally call whose parent is serving in the Armed Forces overseas or has lost a parent through death or divorce. “One of the Home’s social workers holds a training session for those answering the phone to help them deal with these difficult questions,” she says.

Phone lines are open daily from 2-6 p.m.