Sangamon Sun

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has been running the Operation Santa program for over a century, allowing people to adopt and respond to letters addressed to Santa Claus. This initiative began in 1912 when Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to reply to these letters. Initially, postal employees were responsible for responding, but by the 1940s, the program expanded to include the public.

In 2017, USPS introduced a digital pilot program in New York City, enabling adopters to select letters online. This approach was successful and led to further expansion across other cities in 2018. By 2019, the online system was available nationwide, making it easier for more people to participate from their homes.

Participants can visit USPSOperationSanta.com to browse hundreds of letters. Personal details are kept confidential while maintaining the essence of each letter. Volunteers must register on the website and complete a verification process before selecting which letters they wish to fulfill.

Corporations and organizations also take part by forming teams to adopt multiple letters, significantly impacting their communities. In 2020, when the program went fully online nationwide, over a million visitors accessed the Operation Santa website, resulting in more than 21,000 packages being shipped.

The documentary "Dear Santa," released in 2020, provides an intimate look at this initiative's impact on families and children. It highlights how acts of kindness can enhance a child's holiday experience.

For those interested in participating or adopting a letter, more information is available on the USPS Operation Santa website.