In its 108th year, the “Operation Santa” initiative is still going strong, adapting to meet the challenges posed by the pandemic. This holiday season, it’s more crucial than ever to bring joy to families struggling to make ends meet, especially those with children who might not receive presents due to economic hardships. The United States Postal Service’s “Operation Santa” program makes it easy for anyone to contribute to a child’s Christmas cheer, and this year it’s entirely digital.
“Operation Santa” invites children and families to write letters to Santa (addressed directly to the North Pole), which are processed and made available online starting December 4th at USPSOperationSanta.com. Anyone across the United States can visit the site to “adopt” a letter and help fulfill a child or family’s holiday wishes. Organizations and groups can also participate by adopting letters as teams.
The program aims to support families in need, but it is open to anyone wishing to write to Santa. “This initiative has always focused on providing gifts to families who may struggle to afford anything beyond basic necessities,” said USPS spokesperson, Jamie Moore, in an interview. Over the past century, USPS has collected numerous letters through the program. In 2019 alone, over 11,000 packages were sent to children whose letters were adopted.
The switch to a fully digital format comes in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in financial strain and delays in mail delivery. “This year, we expect more families to face financial and emotional challenges,” Moore explained. “Celebrating the holidays can be tough when loved ones are far away or absent. Being able to bring a little joy or normalcy to those in need could make a significant difference.”
The USPS first launched an online pilot of “Operation Santa” in 2017 in New York City. The program expanded to seven cities online in 2018 and to 17 cities last year, paving the way for a complete digital rollout this year.
Starting December 4th, letters will be available for adoption through the USPS Operation Santa website. You can choose any letter from anywhere in the country, and your contributions are tax-deductible. “Operation Santa Claus” began in 1912 when the United States Postmaster General authorized local postmasters to respond to needy children. Since then, USPS and generous donors have been working together to create holiday magic for children everywhere.
Families wishing to participate in “Operation Santa” can send their letters to the following address:
Santa Claus 123 Elf Road North Pole, 88888
When selecting a letter, you can choose one that resonates with you and fulfill wishes as you see fit. The website encourages you to help as many children as you can, no matter the size of the wish.
For more information and to get involved, check out this blog post. Also, if you’re seeking more insights into home insemination, you can explore resources from the CDC or consider products from Make a Mom, which are reputable in the field.
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Summary:
“Operation Santa” by USPS provides an opportunity for individuals and organizations to help fulfill Christmas wishes for children in need. This year, the program is fully digital, allowing anyone across the U.S. to adopt letters and make a difference. With the ongoing pandemic, there is a heightened need for support, and participants can bring joy to families during the holiday season.