Calling all elves: USPS Operation Santa is open for business.
Since Nov. 1, children and others in need have been sending letters to Santa containing their wish lists for the holiday season. (The deadline to send letters is Dec. 10; refer to the instructions on writing and sending letters.)
And since Nov. 15, generous people have been signing up to adopt letters so that they can turn those wishes into reality. (The deadline to adopt letters is Dec. 22; see the guidelines on becoming an adopter.)
On Nov. 29, the magic began: The first letters were uploaded to USPSOperationSanta.com and adopters began searching for the one (or ones) that captured their heart.
The first 3,500 letters posted were adopted within two hours.
The remaining letters will be posted to the website twice a day through Dec. 15 and — new for this year — a countdown clock will let participants know when new letters are up and available for selection.
For the uninitiated, an animated video featuring holiday helper Holly explains the process step by step.
More information about the 109-year-old program can be found at USPSOperationSanta.com and on the Postal Service’s Holiday Newsroom website.
