Be a Magical Elf: Adopt a Letter with the USPS Operation Santa

You can be one of Santa's elves this holiday season and help make a child's Christmas wish come true.

Helping Underprivileged Children Since 1912

Since 1912, the United States Postal Service has allowed caring elves can send gifts directly to children in need. Keep reading to learn how you can be one of Santa's elves this holiday season.

Become One of Santa's Elves

The letters to Santa are often written by underprivileged children or their parents and usually ask for the most basic things that you and I may take for granted like a coat to stay warm in the winter or a new pair of shoes.

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Adoptions Begin November 18, 2024

The process to adopt a child is very simple. Letters to Santa are already being received and registration for adopters is now open. Beginning November 18th adoptions will start and volunteers will be able to fulfill holiday wishes. Personal information is kept private and adopters do not have access to any information like address, school, etc of the letter writer.

Every letter writer’s personally identifiable information (PII) is redacted — last names, addresses, school or community names, etc., are blacked out on the letter that is posted on the USPS Operation Santa^® website. The sender of the gift does not know the PII of the letter writer.

If you would like to adopt a child this holiday season, you can learn more by visiting the USPS Operation Santa Program here. It is recommended that all gifts be mailed by December 16th to be delivered by Christmas.

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Need to Send a Letter to Santa?

If you are a child or a family of a child who might benefit from a little Elf magic, you can mail your letters to Santa at the address below. Letters must be postmarked by December 09, 2024, to be eligible.

Santa
123 Elf Road
North Pole, 88888

The USPS offers some helpful tips for writing your letters to Santa. You can find those tips by visiting uspsoperationsanta.com.

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Source: Be a Magical Elf: Adopt a Letter with the USPS Operation Santa