If you’re looking to lend St. Nick a helping hand from the comfort of your own home this Christmas, look no further because the U.S. Postal Service’s annual Operation Santa program is online.
In its 112th year, Operation Santa invites individuals and organizations to adopt letters to Santa from hopeful children and families in need, and send responses and gifts in his place.
Operation Santa began in 1912 and has since expanded dramatically. Now, anyone in the United States can help Santa fulfill wish lists.
A few years ago, the program was offered in New York as a trial run. This time around, however, helpers will be able to access letters from underprivileged children and families around the country.
USPS said it takes in 500,000 letters a year.
If you’re interested in giving this year, the steps are as follows:
1. Look through letters, and adopt ones you love.
2. Find the perfect gift, and keep it anonymous — it’s from Santa, after all. Or you can shop online.
3. Pack your gifts in a box using USPS shipping.
4. And finally, take the gift and postage to a participating U.S. post office by Dec. 16.