December 05, 2011

Operation Santa

Every year during the month of December, the United States Postal Service launches “Operation Santa” in order to help realize some of the millions of letters and postcards that children around the country send to Santa each year. How does it work? Check out this interactive list of participating post offices — see one in your neighborhood? Go to your local post office, select a letter, and then once you return with the gifts, the Post Office will deliver them to the families, making you a real life Santa Claus. While children all around the world will be gifted piles of toys this holiday, many of the children writing these letters are simply looking to have some of their basic needs fulfilled.

You can visit the USPS for more information. The USPS expects to receive 2 million letters of this kind this year — because the economy isn’t improving, the number of children in need is expected to be at its highest ever in 2011. Children have been given everything from clothes and toys, to a new ear: 7 year-old Shimaya was born deaf with one ear — her wish to have two ears was realized last year when surgeon Sheryl Lewin adopted her letter and made the surgery possible, even piercing little Shimaya’s ears as a special surprise for when she woke up.

Think about all of your blessings and consider helping someone in need this month — holiday spirit comes in all forms, and we are particularly touched by this one.