USPS Revs Up for Annual Operation Santa, 110 Years of Giving "Extra Magic"
It’s time for Santa to prepare to respond to all the letters written by hopeful children.
But, Santa is in need of our help.
According to a press release from the USPS, “the Postal Service is putting out the call for kind-hearted, generous people across the country to sign up to adopt letters to Santa.”
USPS Operation Santa has been in operation for 110 years. Through it, the public makes holiday joy happen for many children in need.
Those interested in adopting a letter must go to USPSoperationsanta.com. There, they can register as adopters and get verified.
“Beginning Nov. 28, verified adopters can go online and read through the posted letters and choose one or more to fulfill,” reports WBRC.
Thousands, even hundreds of thousands of letters are written to Santa annually. Santa’s elves at the United States Postal Service open those letters and ensure the safety of the children by removing identifiers before placing the letter up for adoption.
Sometimes groups of people such as businesses or organizations go in together to adopt a letter. Each member of the group must go through the verification process for everyone’s safety.
“Letters will be available for adoption from Nov. 28 through Dec. 19. Letter adopters are responsible for postal shipping costs on all packages.”
While the postal service has been receiving letters to Santa for over 100 years, it was in 1912 that Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local post offices to respond to them. The authorization expanded to include concerned customers and “USPS Operation Santa” became a reality.
Children wanting to write letters to Santa can also do so at the website.
Proverbs 11:25, ESV, says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” Most of us, though, need little prodding to volunteer to bring Christmas joy to children and families in need.
“USPS Operation Santa relies solely on random acts of kindness and the generosity of strangers.”
Will you answer the call?
