More than 100 years ago, the U.S. Postal Service began receiving
letters addressed simply to Santa Claus. In 1912, Postmaster
General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to allow
postal employees and citizens to respond to these letters to
Santa
– this became known as Operation Santa.
In the 1940s, mail volume for Santa increased so much that the
Postal Service invited charitable organizations and corporations to
participate by providing written responses and small gifts.
More than 100 years ago, the U.S. Postal Service began receiving letters addressed simply to Santa Claus. In 1912, Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to allow postal employees and citizens to respond to these letters to Santa – this became known as Operation Santa.
In the 1940s, mail volume for Santa increased so much that the Postal Service invited charitable organizations and corporations to participate by providing written responses and small gifts.
Beginning in December, customers, charitable organizations and businesses will once again be able to “adopt” letters from children or families that may need some extra help during the holidays. The difference this year is that those adopting letters will not know the address of the child or family, and will have to make a return trip to the Post Office to mail the letter or parcel.
Individuals interested in adopting a letter can visit either the San Francisco Post Office, 1300 Evans Ave., San Francisco, or the Oakland Post Office, 201 13th St., Oakland to select letters. The letters will have concealed personal information and a code number assigned. If the individual is interested in mailing a response or a gift to the child, they must return with the adopted letter or package and present them to a postal clerk, who will match the number on the letter with the child’s address, weigh the package and collect the postage from the customer. The Postal Service will affix the mailing label and send the letter or package on its way.
For more information, see www.usps.com/holidays.
