Understanding Operation Santa
Operation Santa is a longstanding tradition facilitated by the USPS where compassionate individuals and organizations step in to fulfill wishes for those writing letters to Santa Claus.
The Journey of a Letter
When a child writes a letter to Santa, it usually carries their hopes and Christmas wishes.
These letters are sent through the U.S. Postal Service to the North Pole.
Under Operation Santa, the USPS sorts these thousands of letters and makes them available for adoption by generous members of the public who want to respond with gifts on Santa’s behalf.
History and Mission of the Program
The program was established by Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock in 1912, allowing postal employees and citizens to respond to letters addressed to Santa Claus.
The mission of Operation Santa is to help connect those in need with those willing to provide support during the holiday season, continuing a century-old tradition of fostering holiday cheer and generosity.
Online Adoption and How It Works
In recent years, the program has moved online to uspsoperationsanta.com, making it easier for people to adopt letters from any location.
Participants can browse through letters, choose one they connect with, and then send a gift.
The USPS handles the delivery, ensuring children receive their Christmas surprises.
Safety and Privacy
Safety and privacy are paramount.
The USPS ensures that all personal information is redacted from the letters to Santa before they are posted for adoption.
Participants must go through ID verification to adopt a letter, and only the USPS sees the addresses for shipping gifts, safeguarding the personal information of both the senders and recipients.
Making Wishes Come True
Every Christmas season, a little bit of magic comes to life as thousands of children send their wish lists to Santa and many of those wishes are fulfilled by generous strangers.
This tradition engages communities and helps deliver joy through the simple act of giving.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) facilitates this magic through a program that connects these children’s letters with people who are eager to make those holiday dreams a reality.
How to Adopt a Letter
Anyone looking to spread holiday cheer can participate in the USPS Operation Santa program by adopting a letter.
Prospective adopters can read through children’s letters to Santa and choose one or more wishes to fulfill.
To adopt, they register on the USPS website, go through a short vetting process, and then they’re ready to bring a child’s dream to life.
Sending Gifts and Responses
Once a person or family decides on a letter to adopt from 123 Elf Road, North Pole 88888, they can start the process of sending back a response.
Gifts should be new and not include money or gift cards.
They must be wrapped, boxed, and then sent using either Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express to ensure timely delivery for Christmas.
Volunteer and Community Involvement
The generosity of individuals isn’t the only way letters to Santa are fulfilled.
Corporations often get involved, providing a larger scale of support, along with community groups and volunteers from cities like New York and even far-off locations such as Anchorage and Puerto Rico.
Volunteers include locals and postal workers, who give their time and effort to sort and catalogue letters for easier adoption.
Important Dates and Guidelines
The USPS Operation Santa begins annually around mid-November, with the 2023 program starting on Nov. 20.
Those sending letters must include a return address and first-class mail postage stamp.
For their wishes to be considered, children should send their letters by a certain date, often around December 10.
Adopters must also note the last day to ship packages to ensure they arrive in time for Christmas, with postal recommendations for different types of mail services available on the USPS Operation Santa website.