New USPS Operation Santa Claus Program Policies

USPS Operation Santa Claus Program is Alive and Well!

USPS Operation Santa Claus Program 2009

Each year we receive thousands of messages from people wanting more information about the venerable USPS Operation Santa Claus Program.

We can’t respond to all emails individually and want to  help you better understand the Letters to Santa program and the new process that has been implemented nationwide.

In 2006, national policies were implemented for all postal-operated programs involving customers “adopting” letters to Santa.

In 2008, an incident occurred that prompted the USPS to stop the program immediately. Three days later, it began again, but only in New York City and Chicago — the two largest programs in the country.  Utilizing a new format  that contained additional safety features, the “Dear Santa” letters now have the last names and the addresses of the children redacted.  Santa’s elves who wish to answers letters from children who would otherwise have no Christmas at all can still do so but will need to return to the post office they picked the letter(s) up from to ship their Christmas gifts.

This program has always been strictly voluntary. But if a post office chooses to participate, they must follow the established guidelines. The guidelines have become somewhat labor intensive and because of the economy and scarce resources, a number of locations opted out of participating this year.

The Postal Service does not receive tax dollar for operations and the current financial situation is forcing local offices to make some difficult decisions, including whether to participate in this optional program.

The United States Postal Service has been operating the Letters to Santa program for nearly 100 years and we know it has helped tens of thousands of children and their families experience the magic of the holiday season.

The Postal Service is not canceling the program. Indeed, they continue to provide ways to make the holidays happy for many children. They are protecting the identity of the children. It’s just that simple.

Participating Post Office Locations Across America

Click here to print or view Operation Santa Claus locations in other cities.

Click here to print Individual Participant Form.

Click here to print Organization Participant Form.

Call your local post office to find out if this wonderful program is available in your area. 1-800-ASK-USPS.

Please email us with new locations that are not listed on this form and we will immediately add them to our list!

Thank you so much for your interest and participation in Operation Santa Claus and we wish you and yours the very merriest Christmas!

Please visit Operation Letters To Santa for almost 1000 pages of Winter Holiday and Christmas family traditions, recipes, games, crafts, Christmas sheet music, Christmas carols, tales and so much more!

For beautifully nostalgic and vintage FREE desktop wallpapers for Christmas please click here.