Five things you should know about USPS Operation Santa™

It’s getting close to that time of the year when the magic of the holidays starts to enter our busy lives. The time when we start to believe that anything is possible. What is it about the holidays that has even the most cynical among us wanting to believe? Maybe it is seeing starry-eyed children write to Santa and believing he will grant their wish. Maybe we believe in this magic, because we see people reaching out to help those who are less fortunate, revealing the good we all have in common. That is what the magic of the holidays means to me. The best memories I have during the holiday season involve helping others, spending time with those who have no family, and making other’s wishes come true.

Regardless of the reason for believing in the enchantment of the season, the U.S. Postal Service Operation Santa™ program embodies holiday magic. So what makes Operation Santa magical?

1. History. The Postal Service has been receiving children’s letters to Santa for more than 106 years, and Operation Santa has provided ways to respond — and in some cases even fulfill — the requests.
2. Family tradition. For many families, one holiday tradition is for their children to write letters to Santa. These letters are often children’s first correspondence. Many children ask for toys and games, some ask for clothes to stay warm, and others simply ask for help for themselves and their loved ones.
3. Santa responds. The beauty of Operation Santa is the way the program provides a mechanism to respond to children. The holiday season is all about believing that anything is possible, and Operation Santa reinforces that belief. In many Post Offices, employees respond to the thousands of letters by providing a written response signed by Santa. Other Post Offices may work with local schools, municipalities and community groups who volunteer for the joyous task.
4. Wishes fulfilled. Other Post Offices have Holiday Helpers and Elves that work to make children’s wishes come true. They make sure that children and their family’s personal information is protected. Individuals can come into the Post Office, read through several letters and, if they choose, adopt a letter to fulfill. Once a letter is adopted, the individual will bring the fulfilled gift back to the Post Office facility and pay for postage for the Postal Service to deliver. A list of those locations is available on usps.com/holidaynews.
5. Brings joy. The holiday season does something rare and beautiful in many of us and Operation Santa gives us the opportunity to experience wonder and joy by helping others and creating hope.

For more information on Operation Santa and the Letters to Santa program please visit usps.com/holidaynews.