On the south end of the Vashon’s Village Green, at the edge of the parking lot owned by U.S. Bank, a small and tidy building stands empty for most of the year, waiting for a very special visitor who has made it a stopping place for decades.

And while that visitor is in residence, throngs of wide-eyed children will arrive to whisper their Christmas wishes to him.

We’re talking, of course, about Santa’s Cottage, which has stood on the site since sometime in the early 1990s. At least, that’s what islander Bettie Edwards, one of Santa’s most faithful island helpers, has told us.

She can’t remember the exact year the cozy cottage moved to town from the farm where it was built in 1986. But, of course, that doesn’t matter — Santa exists outside of time, and if his age and appearance have changed from year to year, and his cottage has moved from one place to another, that’s only to be expected, too.

Santa, Bettie will tell you, has a special fondness for Vashon. It’s rumored, she said, that he’s chosen our island as a resting spot, so his reindeer can feast on special golden carrots that are grown here.

Bettie will also tell you that Santa will reply to every letter dropped off to him at a special mailbox at Vashon Bookshop, as long as the envelope includes a return address. That’s important, she says, because Santa only recognizes rooftops, so he needs the post office to deliver his letters back to all the island children who write to him every year.

(Like a lot of things about Santa, this raises a point that strains credulity, but believe it anyway: letters to Santa from island children must be put in the special Vashon Bookshop post box, and not mailed from the post office. The post office, you see, does not deliver to the North Pole, only from it.)

Over the years, many islanders and local businesses have pitched in to keep Santa’s Cottage warm and cozy for his once-a-year visits. We know this is true, because another Santa fan, Vashon Chamber board member Connie Sorensen, thanked many of them in The Beachcomber last year.

These recent holiday heroes include Jackie Merrill, Tony Chorak, Amelie Smith, John Sherman, Ron Frombach, Bruce Morris, Bernie O’Malley, Joan Fulton, Steve Church, Donna Kellum, Bonnie Lynch, Teal Pardee, Sarah Anderson, Janice Arnold and Jeff Raab.

Local businesses have helped out too: U.S. Bank, Ace Hardware, Island Lumber, Barron Construction, Vashon Electric, Vashon Market IGA, Vashon Floor Store and Vashon Bookshop are among them.

No wonder Santa loves our island so much!

Some of these folks helped patch up the cottage after two break-ins in the past year. The people responsible for that damage, according to Bettie, will probably find coal in their stockings for the rest of their lives.

But there’s no need to dwell on that.

Santa will return to Vashon again this year, with Mrs. Claus, on Saturday, Dec. 7, waving to the crowd gathered for the WinterFest parade. He used to come in a horse-drawn wagon, pulled by Doc Eastley’s Shires, but now, he has switched to riding in a vintage pickup. Third-graders from Chautauqua Elementary School will walk in front of his carriage, ringing jingle bells.

He’ll be in his cottage from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays, Dec. 8 and 15. Bring your children or pets, and your own cameras or phones to take keepsake photos. As long as supplies last, kids will receive a special pillowcase designed to make sure that sugar plum fairies dance in their heads on Christmas Eve.

And while you’re visiting, be sure to look in the windows of U.S. Bank to see a special treat: four wooden sculptures of Christmas soldiers, dropped off at Santa’s Cottage earlier this year by a mystery donor. They were lovingly repaired and readied for display at U.S. Bank by Ron Frombach.

Preschool groups can also visit Santa by appointment; email belittlehouse@comcast.net.

And for the love of all things Christmas, don’t forget — children should hand their letters to Santa during their visits, or drop them off at his special mailbox at Vashon Bookshop, from Nov. 29-Dec. 21.

That’s the only way to make sure the jolly old guy will reply.

Little “Pearl” Galloway, at Santa’s Cottage. (Courtesy photo)

Four wooden soldier sculptures were dropped off by an anonymous donor at Santa’s cottage this year. Now, they’ve been restored and will be on display in the window of U.S. Bank. (Courtesy photo)