StorySanta's Magical Red Mailboxes

Oakdale shares holiday, emergency, and heating assistance updates

The Oakdale City Council held its Monday Morning Minute briefing on December 2, sharing three community announcements aimed at helping residents stay safe, warm, and connected during the winter season.

Meeting date: Dec 2, 2024
Published Jun 22, 2026

The city announced that Santa's magical red mailboxes are now available at City Hall and the Discovery Center for children who want to write letters to Santa. Families are encouraged to have their children drop off letters by December 15. To ensure children receive replies, letters must include the child's full name, age, and address.

Oakdale officials also reminded residents about CodeRED, a free emergency notification system that the city uses to quickly alert citizens and businesses about urgent situations. The system sends geo-targeted alerts—meaning warnings are tailored to specific neighborhoods—to people who have registered for the service. State and local agencies use CodeRED to deliver time-sensitive information during emergencies.

Finally, the city highlighted the Energy Assistance Program, which helps eligible Minnesotans pay their heating bills during winter months. Both renters and homeowners can qualify for assistance based on income and household size. The program is particularly relevant as temperatures drop and heating costs rise. More information about eligibility and how to apply is available through the city.

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Source document

[0:05] [Music] Welcome back to the Monday Morning

Minute for December 2. Let's get 60 seconds

[0:09] on the clock and get started. Santa's magical

red mailboxes have arrived at City Hall and

[0:15] the Discovery Center. Help your little ones

write a letter to Santa and drop it in one

[0:18] of the red mailboxes by December 15. Please

be sure to include the child's full name,

[0:23] age, and address with each letter. Santa

might just send a letter back. Have you

[0:27] heard of CodeRED? CodeRED is an emergency

notification system that allows the City to

[0:32] quickly notify citizens and area businesses

about emergency situations. With CodeRED,

[0:37] state and local agencies can deliver geo-targeted

time-sensitive information to individuals who have

[0:43] registered to receive alerts. Check out the link

provided for more information and to register for

[0:47] this free service. As the weather gets colder,

a reminder about the Energy Assistance Program

[0:53] which offers help with paying heating bills

to eligible Minnesotans. Both renters and

[0:57] homeowners can qualify. Eligibility is based

based on income and household size. More info

[1:02] at the link provided. That's it, I'm out of

time. Have a great week, Oakdale. [Music]

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Other Topics from This Document

  • CodeRED Emergency Notification System

  • Energy Assistance Program

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