USPS Operation Santa: How To Mail A Letter To Santa In NYC
NEW YORK CITY — Don't let the coronavirus pandemic make Santa Claus miss a visit to children whose families are struggling.
New York City may be social distancing, but that doesn't mean holiday cheer and generosity is canceled.
Santa Claus is keeping with the pandemic spirit and choosing virtual visits rather than his normal pre-Christmas appearances at stores and events.
Fresh off his appearance at the revamped Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, Santa moved his "Santaland" from the store to online. Children and families can visit his workshop virtually and even meet up with him.
Other places are going virtual or social distanced with Santa too. And one of the oldest ways to connect with the jolly gift giver — writing letters — is getting big push as the pandemic affects the city and country.
For the first time, the Postal Service is taking its Operation Santa program nationwide. The program, which dates back to 1912, encourages kids from across the country to write letters to “Santa.” Once the letters are received and posted online, others are encouraged to “adopt” and respond to one or more letters of their choosing.
"Through the years, the program grew and took on a life of its own," the USPS wrote on its website. "Today, customers can go online to browse through the letters and, if one touches them, they can adopt it and help the child have a magical holiday."
Anyone in the United States is allowed to write a letter, regardless of religion or denomination, according to the Postal Service’s website. Letters requesting clothes and shoes should include sizes and colors. Those requesting toys, games and books should be specific.
How To Mail A Letter
1) Any family with a child who wants to write to Santa should use this “official” post office address:
Santa Claus, 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888
2) Write your full name and return address in the upper left corner of the envelope. Then, apply a first-class stamp in the upper right.
3) Letters will be posted to the USPSOperationSanta.com website. Letter adoptions open on Dec. 4.
4) Drop the letter off at your nearest Post Office.
5) All letters should be received by Dec. 15. Once letters are received, they will be uploaded and made available for adoption. The sooner your letter is received, the more likely it is to be answered.
According to the Postal Service’s website, there will be no in-person letter adoptions this year due to the pandemic. Instead, participants are encouraged to share their personal experiences on social media using the hashtag #USPSOperationSanta.
More details on writing and adopting letters through the Operation Santa program can be found at USPSOperationSanta.com.
This article originally appeared on the New York City Patch
