Wisconsin / Illinois — Each year thousands of letters are sent to Santa. Most ask for toys and games. Some ask for clothes and shoes and other basic necessities. A few ask for help for themselves and their loved ones.

USPS Operation Santa® program was established by the Postal Service 107 years ago to help families and children in need at the holidays. The mission is to provide a channel where people can help children and families have a magical holiday when they otherwise might not. This year brings some exciting changes and a new website USPSOperationSanta.com.

Individuals and Organizations can adopt letters to Santa online at USPSOperationSanta.com. It’s important to note that even though the letters are adopted online, the adopter MUST go to a Post Office that offers “Label Broker” as an on-site service to send the gift. Adopters can find qualifying Label Broker™ Post Offices by visiting the Post Office™ Locator usps.com/locator.

USPS Operation Santa History
The Postal Service began receiving letters to Santa Claus more than 100 years ago; however, it was in 1912 when Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to allow postal employees and citizens to respond to the letters — this became known as Operation Santa.

The complete history can be found online https://about.usps.com/holidaynews/   

Additional news and information, including all domestic, international and military mailing and shipping deadlines, can be found at the Postal Service Holiday Newsroom.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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