The Postal Service began receiving letters to Santa Claus more than 100 years ago. However, in 1912, Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock allowed postal employees and citizens to respond to the letters in the program that became known as Operation Santa.

In 1940, mail volume for Santa increased so much the Postal Service invited charitable organizations and corporations to participate and provide written responses to the letters and small gifts to the children who wrote them.

Over the past 69 years, the program has taken on a life of its own. Postal facilities in cities around the country today let charitable organizations, major corporations, local businesses and individuals adopt letters to Santa to make children’s holiday dreams come true from coast to coast.

Individuals and organizations interested in adopting a letter click here.