CINCINNATI — For most of us it’s the most wonderful time of the year; a time to celebrate with family and friends. Children write letters to Santa eagerly awaiting his arrival and on Christmas morning wake up to find their dreams fulfilled. But some children will wake to find that Santa may have missed them.

The Cincinnati Operation Santa Program is a letter-writing campaign that allows members of the public to respond to children’s letters addressed to Santa Claus, the North Pole and other seasonal characters. The Cincinnati Main Post Office annually receives hundreds of letters from children and families asking Santa for help. Letters to Santa will be accepted for submission to the Operation Santa Program through Wednesday, December 13, 2017.

“Just as we’ve done for decades, we are pleased to continue this holiday program for the families in our community this year,” says Postmaster Karen Garber.

Participating members of the public choose one or more letters to answer (all personal information is redacted from the letters), bring purchased presents back to the Cincinnati Main Post Office and pay for the postage to have the items mailed to the recipients. Participants must also bring the copy of the redacted letter(s) when mailing the gift(s). All presents may be returned to the Cincinnati Main Post Office Monday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. up through Monday, December 18. A last chance to drop off gifts will be Tuesday, December 19, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

The Postal Service began receiving letters to Santa Claus more than 105 years ago. However, its involvement was made official in 1912 when Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local Postmasters to allow postal employees and citizens to respond to letters, thus introducing the first Operation Santa Program. People with questions about participating may call (513) 684-5133.

Note to media: An Operation Santa Coordinator is available for media interviews. Please call 513.432.5253 to coordinate an interview time and date.

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