URGENT UPDATE: The United States Postal Service (USPS) has just announced that families can now participate in Operation Santa, a cherished program designed to bring joy to children during the holiday season. This is the perfect opportunity for families to engage in festive writing activities as winter weather approaches.
Parents are encouraged to have their children write letters to Santa Claus this weekend, especially with cold and cloudy conditions expected across many regions. This indoor activity not only entertains but also fosters holiday spirit.
How to Write to Santa:
1. Secure two writing instruments and two envelopes—one large enough to hold the other.
2. Have your child write their heartfelt letter to Santa and place it in an envelope addressed to “Santa Claus, North Pole.”
3. Craft a personalized response from Santa without your child seeing it, disguising your handwriting if necessary. Sign it: “From Santa.”
4. Insert both letters into a new envelope addressed to your child with a return address of “Santa, North Pole.”
5. Apply a First Class stamp (currently $0.78) and send it to:
North Pole Postmark, Postmaster, 4141 Postmark Dr., Anchorage, AK 99530-9998
6. To ensure a response with a North Pole postmark, mail your letters by Monday, December 1.
Operation Santa is now open for individuals, families, and community groups wishing to adopt letters from children in need. This year, USPS has introduced a team-based approach to adopting family letters, ensuring that all letters from the same household are fulfilled together.
Here’s how to get involved:
1. Visit USPSOperationSanta.com to create an account and verify your identity.
2. Browse letters from children across the nation and adopt those that resonate with you.
3. Purchase gifts either through USPS’s online Santa’s Gift Shoppe or from your own sources.
4. Ship your gifts using the online catalog or from a local Post Office.
For groups looking to adopt family letters, one person can act as the team leader, inviting others to help fulfill the families’ needs. It’s crucial that every letter from a family is adopted to ensure no child is left disappointed.
The Santa’s Gift Shoppe has expanded this year, partnering with Toys “R” Us to offer a wider selection of gifts. Not only does this save time, but it also provides free shipping on orders over $49. All gifts must be shipped by Saturday, December 13 to ensure timely delivery.
In a statement, Sheila Holman, USPS Vice President of Marketing, emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that the agency receives “far more letters than those adopting” each year. This program has been a holiday tradition since 1912, when it was launched under Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock.
Join in spreading holiday cheer this season by participating in Operation Santa. It’s an opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life and embrace the true spirit of giving. Don’t wait—start writing and adopting today!
