Answer a letter to Santa
written by a child who needs
a brighter Christmas

You can read real letters to Santa from needy kids, take home one or more that move you, and then send your gift through the USPS Operation Santa program.

There’s no middle man or charity. It’s micro-philanthropy, direct from you to a child, when you volunteer in this way.

You’ll catch the true spirit of the holidays, and put smiles on the faces of needy kids on Christmas morning.

In 2012, only twenty-two post offices nationwide offered the Operation Santa program, mostly in major cities.  Most began the first week of December and end 1 to 4 days before Christmas.  Come alone, or bring your kids!

Be An Elf is the best resource available to learn how and where to volunteer for the USPS Operation Santa program. You’ll find tips for gifts for children, a quick link to the USPS National Directory of Operation Santa postal branches, and plenty more.  If there is no branch near you, we offer some excellent other ways to be an Elf.

Give a Christmas party and share the work, the cost and the fun. Ask each friend to bring one or more gifts, and wrap them at your party. Volunteer Elf Lauren in Brooklyn, NY, gave a Christmas party and asked her friends to bring a gift or contribute, and they wrapped the gifts together.

So go get your letters, post this site on Facebook or tweet it, and give a party!

Be An Elf’s mission is simple: to create public awareness of the little-known USPS® Operation Letters to Santa program, to recruit new volunteers, to make more underprivileged children smile on Christmas, and to inspire people with the real spirit of Christmas.  Operation Santa was started by the USPS 100 years ago in 1912, and has never missed a year.

If you can’t volunteer to send gifts to needy children who write to Santa, please donate online to Be An Elf or give by check to support our group’s mission and cause. You may give anonymously online. Check out our future plans.

Your gift will help recruit more volunteers for the Operation Santa program. Together we can bring joy to children in need on Christmas morning.

Please post this link on your Facebook page or tweet it — or send your friends a message like this sample email.

Please donate online or volunteer to be an elf!

PRESS ROOM:  Members of the press who want high resolution photos or video will find them on our press resources page.

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Be An Elf is not affiliated in any way with the United States Postal Service.®

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