USPS Operation Santa: A Guide to Giving Back This Holiday Season

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USPS Operation Santa is a heartwarming way to give back this holiday season. Since its inception in 1912, the program has been bringing joy to children and families in need.

The program was inspired by a 1912 editorial in the New York Sun, which told the story of a young girl who wrote to Santa Claus, and the response she received. This sparked a tradition that has continued for over a century.

To participate, you can write a letter to Santa on behalf of a child in need, and mail it to the USPS Operation Santa website. The letter should include the child's name, address, and a wish list.

What Is Operation Santa

Operation Santa is a program run by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that allows children to write letters to Santa Claus and have them responded to by volunteers.

Letters are reviewed for authenticity and then sent to volunteers who respond as Santa Claus.

Credit: youtube.com, USPS Operation Santa®

The program has been around since 1912, when a newspaper in New York City published a letter from a young girl asking for help from Santa Claus to buy her family a turkey.

In 1912, the USPS began to collect and respond to these letters, and it's been a beloved tradition ever since.

The letters are reviewed to ensure they are from a child and are not a scam, to protect the identity of the child and their family.

How to Participate

To participate in USPS Operation Santa, you can either write a letter to Santa or become one of Santa's helpers. Anyone in the U.S. can be part of the program.

To write to Santa, simply address and mail your letter to Santa, 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888. The USPS will then work their holiday magic by processing these letters and uploading them to their website for adoption.

Be sure to include your return address in the letter so Santa's helpers know where to send the gifts. It's also helpful to be specific with details about the items on your wish list, making it easier for letter adopters to know what kind of gift to buy.

If you're interested in adopting a letter, create and verify an account on the USPS Operation Santa website. Once verified, you can browse through all the available letters and choose which holiday wishes to fulfill. You can even filter by state, family size, and language (English or Español).

How to Participate

A Brown Delivery Box with Mailing Details
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To participate in USPS' Operation Santa, you can write a letter to Santa or become one of Santa's helpers.

Anyone in the U.S. can be part of the program, either by writing a letter to Santa or by becoming one of Santa's helpers.

To write to Santa, address and mail your letter to: Santa, 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888.

Make sure to include your return address so Santa's helpers know where to send the gifts.

You can find detailed information about what to include in the letter on the USPS Operation Santa website.

If you're interested in adopting a letter, create and verify an account on the USPS Operation Santa website.

Once verified, you can browse through all the available letters and choose which holiday wishes to fulfill.

You can filter by state, family size, and language (English or Español) to find a letter that matches your interests.

The deadline to postmark letters to Santa is December 9, and adopters have until December 16 to send their gifts.

Here are the key dates to keep in mind:

Santa's Gift Shoppe by Toys“R”Us

A charming Christmas letter to Santa with festive decorations, fairy lights, and tinsel.
Credit: pexels.com, A charming Christmas letter to Santa with festive decorations, fairy lights, and tinsel.

Santa's Gift Shoppe by Toys“R”Us is a fantastic way to get your holiday shopping done in one place. You can find a wide selection of toys and gifts for kids of all ages.

The shoppe is open from November 1st to December 24th, so mark your calendars. You can visit the shoppe in person or shop online.

Toys“R”Us is offering a variety of exclusive deals and discounts on popular toys and gifts. Keep an eye on their website for special promotions and discounts.

Shopping at Santa's Gift Shoppe by Toys“R”Us is a great way to support a good cause - a portion of the proceeds will go to the Toys for Tots charity.

Participating in Operation Santa

You can participate in Operation Santa by writing a letter to Santa or by becoming one of Santa's helpers. Anyone in the U.S. can be part of the program.

To write to Santa, mail your letter to Santa, 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888. Include your return address so Santa's helpers know where to send the gifts.

Credit: youtube.com, Participate in Operation Santa to spread holiday magic!

Make sure to include your return address and be specific with details about the items on your wish list, as this makes it easier for letter adopters to know what kind of gift to buy. Detailed information about what to include in the letter is available on the USPS Operation Santa website.

To adopt a letter, create and verify an account on the USPS Operation Santa website. You can then browse through all the available letters and choose which holiday wishes to fulfill.

Letter adoption for the 2024 Operation Santa season kicked off on November 18, and letters to Santa must be postmarked by December 9. Adopters have until December 16 to send their gifts.

You can filter by state, family size, and language (English or Español) when browsing for letters to adopt.

Elmer Kassulke

Lead Assigning Editor

Here is a 100-word author bio for Elmer Kassulke: Elmer Kassulke is an accomplished Assigning Editor with a keen interest in storytelling. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for research, Elmer has covered a wide range of topics, from the Port of Bristol to the works of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Their expertise spans various categories, including geography, history, culture, and transportation, making them a versatile and reliable voice in the world of journalism.

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