Approved adopters can begin selecting letters Nov. 16; gifts must be shipped by Dec. 12.
Registration is open for individuals and groups interested in adopting letters through the U.S. Postal Service’s Operation Santa program.
Prospective adopters should visit USPSOperationSanta.com, click the registration link and follow the instructions. For security reasons, all adopters must complete a registration and identity verification process before participating. Those who have adopted letters in previous years must complete the verification process again.
“Every year we receive thousands of letters filled with holiday wishes — often outnumbering available adopters — many letters come from entire households,” said Sheila Holman, vice president of marketing for the Postal Service. “To help these families, we encourage companies and organizations to form teams to adopt a household together, ensuring everyone in the home can share in the joy of the holidays.”
Letter adoption opens Nov. 16
Beginning Monday, Nov. 16, approved adopters can begin selecting letters and shopping for gifts. The deadline to ship gifts is Dec. 12.
The process includes a few simple steps:
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Visit USPSOperationSanta.com to create an account and complete identity verification.
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Browse and select one or more letters from individuals or families.
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Shop for gifts independently or through Santa’s Gift Shoppe, powered by Toys“R”Us.
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Ship gifts by Dec. 12, either from a participating Post Office location or through the online gift catalog.
The Postal Service is again partnering with Toys“R”Us to offer Santa’s Gift Shoppe, an online catalog that allows adopters to shop for and ship gifts directly to recipients.
Those who prefer to purchase gifts in person and mail them from a Post Office may continue to do so.
“USPS Operation Santa has been an enduring holiday program for more than a century. Through the generosity of others, the holiday season has been made extra special for thousands of children and families in need,” Holman said.
The Postal Service began accepting letters for the program, now in its 114th year, on Sept. 14. Letters are available to read and adopt at USPSOperationSanta.com.
For more information about the program, its history, important dates and how to participate as a letter writer or adopter, visit USPSOperationSanta.com.
The Postal Service cautions that not every letter is guaranteed to be posted. Letters that are posted are not guaranteed to be adopted or fulfilled.
