More than 100 kids are expected to visit the Royal Oak Post Office this Saturday, where they'll get the chance to tell Santa their wish lists and drop off a letter that will meet him back at the North Pole.

Though only the little ones will have their turn on Santa's lap, the annual event is for people of all ages. The Royal Oak Children's Choir will lead carols outside the branch ahead of Santa's grand entrance, and cookies and hot cocoa will be served inside.

"People always cheer when Santa arrives," said John Dick, a letter carrier for the office who pioneered the annual event and plays a key role in putting it on.

For the past several years, Santa has pulled up to the post office in a lit-up, sirening Royal Oak Fire Department truck, and this year, he's expected to arrive in even greater style.

"It's a surprise this year; it's going to be extra-special," said Dick, who's responsible for this year's surprise and other contributions that have helped the now 8-year-old event grow steadily.

"John's a big fan of people, he cares about [them]," said Shannon LaBruyere, customer relations coordinator for the branch. "It's not just Christmas time that he does stuff like this. He's very involved with the [letter carriers] union and does charitable events through it. Even when working with customers, he'll go off the clock to touch base with them and make sure they're getting [everything] they need."

In addition to all that, Dick leads a team of elves every year as they help Santa respond to the dozens of letters dropped in the box at the Royal Oak Post Office.

In the several years he and his team have been drafting personalized responses to the kids, Dick said he's seen some funny things.

"Sometimes you'll get a manilla envelope that you open up and you dump it on the table and it [seems like] kids have spent hours clipping everything out of the catalogue," he said, laughing.

"We've also had a couple precocious ones," recalled Dick. "One began: 'Santa, I know you're a wonderful person blessed with great wisdom...' as if they were trying to butter Santa up before moving on to ask for what they wanted."

But he says he and his fellow Santa-helpers are careful not to make any promises as they write back.

"We tell them the list will be posted on the workshop wall so all the elves can see it and that we'll try very hard to bring them something special on Christmas."

Still, Dick says it's not so much about presents as it is about reviving the disappearing art of hand-writing a letter.

"I hope it will stick in their minds and they'll think to send a letter over an email somewhere down the line."

Santa will be at the Royal Oak Post Office 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.