Santa has his work cut out for him this Christmas season — and The Meridian Star and other local businesses have come to his aid.

“I’m just really overwhelmed. Our letter volume has increased dramatically, and the elves are overworked. We need help collecting letters so we can take care of everyone this Christmas season,” Santa said on Tuesday.

Those coming to his aid: The Meridian Star and John O’Neil Johnson Toyota of Meridian.

On Thursday, you can go to the car dealership — on Highway 39 next to the East Mississippi Electric Power Association — and drop off your letters to Santa in a massive, 6-foot mailbox. The letters will be collected and sent to the North Pole for Santa to peruse.

Little Caesars Pizza and Popeyes Chicken will provide refreshments to those who drop off letters, making for a fun-filled event for the entire family.

“We’re going to give them candy, and other holiday treats while they are there. We’ll be there from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Popeyes and Little Caesars will be on hand, and also The Grinch will be there, courtesy of Baptist Home Medical,” said Jeremy Campbell of The Meridian Star.

Santa said this will make his job a little easier.

“I want to urge families to come and leave letters for me. I appreciate all the help I’m receiving from the good people in Meridian. I just want to make sure this Christmas is greatest yet,” Santa said.

In addition to sending the letters to the North Pole, Santa will also select a few special letters to be published in The Meridian Star on Dec. 17.