(Atlanta) Santa made an early Christmas delivery this month, giving 500 toy reindeer to patients at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., a gift of cheer from www.northpole.com. The reindeer is a 6-inch high replica of Santa's mischievous "Raymond" reindeer, featured in a number of children's stories on the holiday Web site.

A hospital spokesman said the toy reindeer will be given to all children who are treated on a continuing outpatient basis during the Christmas season, as well as to those hospitalized.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a biomedical research center dedicated to finding cures for catastrophic diseases in children. northpole.com also donates one million banner ads and links on its Web site to St. Jude, and also one million banner ads each to Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America, The Silver Lining Foundation, and Ronald McDonald House® Charities. By giving these organizations free advertising, northpole.com helps promote public support and knowledge of pediatric cancer research and the treatment and opportunities available to help children with life-threatening illnesses.

In its sixth Christmas season, northpole.com features Santa's Secret Village--including Santa's Mailroom, Santa's Workshop, Mrs. Claus' Kitchen, Santa's Den, the Elf Clubhouse, and the Reindeer Barn. During November and December of last year, northpole.com had more than 2.25 million visitors, more than 250,000 letters to Santa, and 350,000 animated postcards sent from the site. The site has been recognized each year for its entertaining, traditional, high technological, and artistic qualities. Activities in northpole.com include Web-mail with Santa, storiesÑincluding those about "Raymond", Elf Chat, karaoke, a Christmas-only radio station, animated holiday postcards, games, North Pole weather reports, puzzles, and recipes.