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About Santa’s Hands, Santa’s Heart Santa’s Hands, Santa’s Heart is a song about some special people. Since the 1930’s, postal workers at New York City's JAMES A. FARLEY POSTAL STATION (at 8th Avenue and 33rd Street) have answered "Dear Santa" letters, digging into their own pockets, sending toys and food to needy children. Today, many volunteers lend a hand in the effort. They call it "Operation Santa Claus." I wrote the first version of the song in 1997 after reading a news item in our local paper. This first version focused on the story of a little girl. In August of 2001, I re-wrote the song to bring more attention to the giving spirit of the volunteers—and re-named it, Santa’s Hands, Santa’s Heart. John re-wrote some of the music and stayed up all night and finished the final mix of the recording at 7:00 A.M. on September 11th, 2001. Within hours we all learned of the tragic events of that morning. I put the song away for a few weeks and abandoned my plan to send the demo to New York City, thinking that planning for “Operation Santa Claus” paled in significance. Then I realized that the economic hardships brought on by September 11th would create more needy families and that many more letters to Santa might go unanswered, adding to the already thousands of letters that went unanswered in the past. I sent my demo down to the organizers of “Operation Santa Claus” in New York City hoping that my song would help in some way. So, I lovingly dedicate this song to the generous, giving spirit of Americans everywhere, and especially to the New Yorkers of “Operation Santa Claus.” I’d like to give special thanks to Syracuse’s noted DJ “Big Mike” Fiss who gave me encouragement when I needed it the most. Santa’s Hands, Santa’s Heart is also featured on his annual CD, Christmastime in Syracuse to benefit the RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE. I also want to thank John Hoglund and Stu Hamstra of the Cabaret Community in New York City, for taking the time to write words of encouragement and advice to a fledging songwriter. There are no words to express my love, devotion and admiration for my love, my music, my mentor, my inspiration, my husband, John… – Joey
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| Update on Santa's Hands, Santa's Heart December of 2001 Joey attended the kick-off ceremony for Operation Santa Claus at the James A. Farley Post Office of Miracle on 34th St. fame at Madison Ave. & 33rd St. in New York City. She reported in her Christmas newsletter: My whirlwind trip to New York to attend the kick off was quite an experience. I finally met the people who had up until then lived in my imagination as I wrote the song that would express their love and dedication to a program that keeps the magic of Christmas alive for little children who might not experience it otherwise. I was interviewed on camera by several New York City TV stations and a camera crew from Holland. But as exciting as all that was, I was most deeply touched by a group of letters from the kindergarten class from PS 68 in the Bronx and the letter of introduction to Santa from their principal. I brought these letters home and with the help of family and friends was able to send down $955.00 to the principal to buy toys for these children! John told me that this made his Christmas! Later that month, Joey & John made a trip to Manhattan. Award-winning cabaret artist Julie Reyburn introduced Santa’s Hands, Santa’s Heart in her Christmas show at Judy’s Chelsea cabaret nightclub in Manhattan. Joey wrote in her newsletter update, "The trip was thrilling despite the constant reminders of the 9-11 tragedy everywhere. Julie's show was awesome! Her talent and stage presence riveting, making her reaction to our song even more amazing to us! She had E-mailed me a few times telling me how the rehearsals were coming for my 'awesome' song. Julie wrote, 'Santa’s Hands, Santa’s Heart is a wonderful story! What a wonderful gift you have given the world! I’m honored to present it!' " Spring of 2002 Joey received an email from Denise Griffitts, creator and webmaster of a Christmas website www.operationlettertosanta.com asking if she could feature Santa’s Hands, Santa’s Heart on her web site. Like Joey, Denise read an article about Operation Santa Claus several years ago and felt compelled to help. She built a website dedicated to the program. Her site features over 450 pages full of Christmas spirit and traditions enhanced with beautiful graphics. Denise has won over 120 awards and counts over 3,000 per month now during the summer months! Visitors to operationletterstosanta.com can download the MP3 and read the story of Santa's Hands, Santa's Heart as well as view the lyrics on that prominent site as well as here on our local one. "I did this," Joey explains "in the hope that my song will help to spread the message and giving spirit of Operation Santa Claus." Denise suggested that operationletterstosanta.com direct visitors to joeyandjohn.com to buy Christmastime With You, giving Joey & John the opportunity to arrange to donate $1.00 to Operation Santa Claus for every CD sold. Visit www.operationlettertosanta.com and "Santa's Hands, Santa's Heart's" featured pages! Listen
to Santa’s
Hands, Santa’s Heart For singers who are interested in using the song, the
lyrics may be found at the link below. Please email me for the chart and to let me know
you are using the song. I can also send you a demo CD for Santa’s
Hands, Santa’s Heart and my other
original song Christmastime With You. Home
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