USPS Operation Santa opens letter adoption in Tampa

The U.S. Postal Service has opened letter adoption for its Operation Santa program in Tampa. The initiative, which dates to 1912, allows members of the public to adopt letters addressed to Santa and send gifts in response.

Sheila Holman, the vice president of marketing for the Postal Service, was quoted in a press release issued Monday. “The holidays are a time to celebrate the joy of the season,” Holman said. “But for some, the simple act of exchanging even small gifts is out of reach.”

“For more than 100 years, USPS Operation Santa has given kindhearted people the opportunity to make dreams come true for thousands of children and their families through simple acts of kindness.”

Children and families across the continental U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico can send their letters to Santa at 123 Elf Rd., North Pole, 88888. Interested parties can sign up to adopt a letter through the USPS online portal.

Once an adopter selects a letter, they are instructed to send a gift in return, either through an e-commerce “Gift Shoppe” featuring Toys ‘R Us merchandise or from a store of their own choosing.

The Postal Service warns there is “no guarantee that letters submitted to the program will be adopted.”

Additional information for letter writers and adopters, including postmarking and registration deadlines, shipping guidelines and helpful links, can be found at the Operation Santa website.

The program began in 1912 at the direction of then-Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock, according to the agency. At first, only Postal Service employees read and responded to the letters. The USPS opened the opportunity to the public in the 1940s.

The program fields “thousands” of letters annually, USPS says.

“Thanks to the generosity of adopters all over the U.S., the USPS Operation Santa program delivers joy to more doorsteps every year, making holiday wishes come true.”