Children hoping to get a letter to Santa — and perhaps have some of their holiday wishes fulfilled — can once again send their requests through the U.S. Postal Service.

USPS has opened its 114th annual Operation Santa program, which allows children and families across the country to mail letters to Santa. Individuals and organizations can later “adopt” participating letters and send gifts to the writers.

Letters should be addressed to:

Santa Claus
123 Elf Rd.
North Pole, 88888

Letters may be submitted from the continental United States, Hawaii and Puerto Rico and must be postmarked by Dec. 5 to be eligible for the Operation Santa program.

Writers should follow the guidelines available at USPSOperationSanta.com. Sending a letter does not guarantee it will be selected for adoption.

The tradition dates to 1912, when Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to allow postal employees and members of the public to respond to letters addressed to Santa Claus. The program has since developed into a nationwide holiday effort aimed at helping children and families.

Those interested in fulfilling wishes can begin registering to adopt letters Nov. 2 at USPSOperationSanta.com.

The adoption period begins Nov. 16. Registered participants can then choose individual or family letters and purchase and send gifts in response to the requests.

USPS says the program is designed to connect people who want to help with families for whom exchanging holiday gifts may otherwise be difficult.

The Postal Service recommends mailing letters early and making them clear and legible. Additional instructions for writing letters, participating in the program and adopting letters are available through the Operation Santa website.

Source: USPA, Fox 43