OPERATION SANTA SEEKS SOME HELP
USPS: The annual program needs volunteers to ‘adopt’ letters from needy kids
With Christmas soon approaching, the United States Postal Service is putting the word out on the proper way of getting letters from kids in need to Santa Claus at the North Pole (or a helpful person near you).
USPS Retail Support Specialist Ana Medina was at the Encino Post Office on Tuesday to talk about the USPS’ Operation Santa.
“Operation Santa is something we have done for over 110 years, and it is a way for families in need to write to Santa and ask him for what they want for the holiday season,” Medina said.
Here are tips for any children (or grownups helping them) sending their Christmas wishes to Santa via the USPS program:
• Children can write to the jolly old man at 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888.
• The correspondence must be postmarked by Dec. 10 to be eligible.
• There is no age limit to writing a letter to Santa.
• The letters must be specific with shoe and clothing sizes, favorite colors, toys or anything else they may want.
• The letters must have a return address and a firstclass stamp.
Starting Nov 29, the letters will be uploaded to the Operation Santa website, where volunteers can view them and select up to 15 to purchase items for the letter writers.
The volunteers will get a QR code from the website and drop off the wrapped presents with the code at the post office for delivery to the children.
Medina emphasized the many children in need and hearkened back to a letter from the past. “Last year, I remember seeing a child asking for mattresses,” she said. “so there are a lot of families in need, so please be generous.”
St. Nick has his hands full with so many children, and the USPS elves are doing their best to help put some smiles on little faces this coming Christmas.