Operation Santa is in full swing, seeking donors to help make this Christmas a special one for thousands of children across the country. The U.S. Postal Service’s annual Operation Santa letter adoptions have opened earlier than ever this year in an effort to give holiday angels a head start on fulfilling the wishes of those in need.
The 111-year-old program handles letters addressed to Santa at the North Pole, giving people the opportunity to adopt and respond to these letters, providing children with the hope that their holiday wishes are being heard and possibly fulfilled. In 2022, more than 18,000 letters were adopted, and this year, the postal service is expecting an outpouring of generosity to continue.
Through the Operation Santa program, letters can be adopted and gifts can be sent through the mail, with the only requirement being that the letters must be postmarked by December 11. The program has received letters as early as mid-September, and has made it possible for people to adopt letters and fulfill the wishes of those in need through the USPSOperationSanta.com website.
The letters are opened at Santa’s mailroom, personal information is redacted, and the letters are uploaded onto the USPS website. Donors can then adopt letters through the online channel, with each registered person able to adopt up to 15 letters. After letters are adopted, donors are responsible for shipping gifts via Priority Mail service. The last call for adopters is December 18, with gifts recommended to be shipped by that date.
The letters reveal heartwarming and simple requests, with some writers looking out for their loved ones and others asking for simple pleasures or necessities. Itzel, for example, wished for toys for herself but also wished for homes, food, and water for the homeless. Another writer, Saidi, requested makeup to surprise her sister, and Zoe and Ella had no wish lists, simply wishing to thank Santa for the gifts they’ve received in previous years.
The program seeks donors to help fulfill these wishes, offering a way for people to bring joy to children in need during the holiday season. With generous individuals stepping up, the program has the power to bring a little light into a time of need. For more information and to get involved, visit USPSOperationSanta.com.