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 Friday, December 14, 2018.

“Just as we’ve done for decades, we are pleased to continue this holiday program for the families in our community this year,” says Cincinnati Plant Manager Reggie Smithson.

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). Letters will be available to review in the lobby of the Cincinnati Main Post Office, 1623 Dalton Ave., through Tuesday, December 18, Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Gifts must be returned for mailing before 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 19.

The Postal Service began receiving letters to Santa Claus well over 100 years ago and in 1912 Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock officially 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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