Santa Claus receives a hug during the Operation Santa kickoff event.
The Postal Service has kicked off this year’s Operation Santa program, the annual campaign that has helped fulfill the holiday wishes of children and their families for more than a century.
Through Operation Santa, individuals, businesses and charitable organizations respond to children’s letters addressed to Santa Claus.
“Operation Santa has made dreams come true for those in need for 102 years,” said New York District Manager William Schnaars, who kicked off the program at a Dec. 2 ceremony in Manhattan.
“This is a time to celebrate how Postal Service employees … and others have made a difference in the lives of children from coast to coast.”
The ceremony, held at the iconic James A. Farley building, featured appearances from Santa and the characters featured on the new Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer stamps.
One of the characters, Hermey, received an Elf of the Year award from New York Postmaster Elvin Mercado.
To learn more about Operation Santa and see a list of participating Post Offices, visit the online holiday newsroom.