Heartfelt Holiday Wishes are Granted as ABC Family Celebrates the Season with 'Dear Santa' on November 28

Heartfelt Holiday Wishes are Granted as ABC Family Celebrates the Season with 'Dear Santa' on November 28

Partnering with the United States Postal Service and 7-Eleven, Santa Helps Holiday Dreams Come True.

BURBANK, Calif., Nov. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- This time of year, kids from all over the world take the time to write one man who can make all of their dreams come true, Santa Claus. While some children ask for a train set or a doll, others write for special Christmas wishes that most people take for granted. In the holiday special DEAR SANTA, (Tuesday, November 28th, 7- 8 p.m. ET/PT; Saturday, December 16th, 7- 8 a.m. ET/PT; ABC Family), Santa grants the special wishes of children with a little help from celebrity "elves" Matt Dallas ("Kyle XY"), Sarah Chalke ("Scrubs"), pro-skateboarder Tony Hawk, hit recording artist Brian McKnight, Raven-Symone ("That's So Raven"), Wilmer Valderrama ("That 70's Show") and host Kristen Bell ("Veronica Mars").

Roel wrote to Santa about his family and the predicament they were in. A few months ago, Roel's aunt and uncle were killed and now his four female cousins have come to live with them. His mother Blanca and father Atilo are trying to adopt the girls to keep the family together, but it's a slow process under emotional conditions. In order to accommodate a family of seven in the home previously occupied only by Roel and his parents, his mother and father have given up their bedroom to the girls and now sleep on the floor of the family room. Additionally, Blanca has had to quit working so she can watch over all the young children now in her care. Outside daycare is out of the question financially. In a time of grieving and hardship, Blanca and Atilo have put the kids first and are working hard to keep the family together. With a visit by the LA Galaxy soccer team, a trip to the American Girl Place(R) Los Angeles and a special surprise, the children will have their Christmas wishes come true.

The special will also take a look at two of last year's children who were granted extraordinary Christmas wishes and see how they are doing. These special families will help pass along the giving spirit by "paying it forward" to others in need.

DEAR SANTA is produced by Mann Made Productions and City Explorer TV in association with The United States Postal Service for ABC Family. The special was directed by Darren Mann and executive produced by Darren Mann and David Veckerelli.

"We are delighted and pleased to once again be working with the United States Postal Service in production of Dear Santa," says Darren Mann, Executive Producer. "This franchise, in addition to providing great heart- warming holiday entertainment, has been able to fulfill the dreams and wishes of many underprivileged children who have reached out to Santa. And once again, our sponsor, 7-eleven, without whose involvement, the ability to make these children's hopes come true would not be possible. This show is the perfect example of how a reality program can not only bring forth the true spirit of the holidays, but make a real impact on the lives of individuals as well."

"7-Eleven(R) stores helped one young girl last year get closer to her dream of becoming a doctor by offering to assist with her education," said Doug Foster, 7-Eleven's vice president of marketing. "This holiday season we again look forward to working with the 'Dear Santa' program by providing assistance to four children who have lost their parents and are doing everything possible to stay together."

"Santa has counted on the power of the mail for more than two centuries to deliver the special holiday wishes of children," said Postmaster General John E. Potter. "Connecting families, friends and loved ones through the mail during the holiday season is what we do. Postal employees across the nation join charitable organizations, corporations and individuals as Santa's helpers in making children's holiday wishes come true by answering the letters to Santa that we receive," Potter said. "We are pleased to be a part of this production and hope it encourages others to visit their local post offices to do the same."

Distributed in over 90 million homes, ABC Family features original movies, series and specials reflecting today's families and entertaining and connecting with adults through relevant stories about today's relationships, all told with diversity, dysfunction, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: bill@daddibrand.com

Source: Mann Made Productions

CONTACT: Bill Daddi, +1-212-404-6619, Bill@daddibrand.com

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