SAN FRANCISCO — The Postal Service’s “Letters to Santa” program is once again helping to make children’s holiday wishes come true, and on Saturday, Nov. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 24, that tradition continues as the San Francisco Postal District kicks off this year’s Letters to Santa Program at PIER 39.
The Postal Service is once again teaming with PIER 39 as it joins in the festivities for the PIER 39 Tree Lighting Celebration, which takes place from noon to 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 23 and Nov. 24. A special area is being set up for children, who will have the opportunity to write letters to Santa from noon to 5 p.m. Children will be assisted by a team of Postal elves, and will also be able to decorate their special letters before mailing.
The Postal Service began receiving letters addressed to Santa Claus more than 100 years ago. It wasn’t until 1912 that Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to allow individuals and institutions to use letters addressed to Santa Claus for philanthropic purposes. Employees and citizens in New York City began responding to the letters through a program that came to be known locally as “Operation Santa.” Today, the popular nationwide program is known as “Letters to Santa.”
“Every year thousands of postal employees, charitable organizations, corporations and individuals participate in making children’s holiday wishes come true by answering the letters to Santa that the Postal Service receives and makes available to the public,” said San Francisco Postmaster Raj Sanghera.
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