USPS Operation Santa is looking for volunteers to help make Christmas wishes come true! The deadline to get involved is December 13. This beloved program started back in 1912, allowing people to play Santa by responding to kids’ letters. Initially, only postal workers handled the letters, but by the 1940s, the public could join in as well. Now, families, groups, and businesses can participate through USPSOperationSanta.com.
One cool feature of Operation Santa is that families can adopt multiple requests at once. Sheila Holman, a USPS marketing VP, shared that this program has been bringing communities together for over a century. The goal is to get more letters adopted and reach more families in need.
In 2017, the program went online in New York City, and by 2020, it expanded nationwide, attracting over a million visits and delivering more than 21,000 packages to kids. Plus, Santa’s Gift Shoppe is back, featuring Toys”R”Us! With an online catalog and free shipping on orders over $49, it’s easier than ever to find the perfect gifts.
To ensure gifts arrive on time, they should be mailed by December 13. Letters need to be sent by December 6 to be fulfilled. Participants can buy gifts on their own or through Santa’s Gift Shoppe and send them to selected families. New privacy measures introduced in 2006 help keep everyone safe by checking IDs for letter pickups and masking personal information. So, get ready to spread some holiday cheer!
