‘Operation Santa' Fulfills Needy Children's Chrismas Wishes

It's the season of giving, and what better way to celebrate the holidays than to grant a child's Christmas wish?

The U.S. Postal Service launched on Tuesday Operation Santa 2015, an annual event where members of the public — or in this case, Santa's helpers — get to adopt letters children address to Santa.

"[Operation Santa] is a really valuable, rewarding goodwill program," said Richard Maher, a Postal Service spokesman. "It's a way to give back to those in need."

As handwritten letters to Santa pour into the mail, postal employees read them and sort them by ZIP code and need.

Businesses and corporations, charitable organizations and individual citizens may then read and choose to address up to 10 letters.

The "Secret Santas" can fulfill the writer's wishes and return to the same post office with the wrapped gifts. The post office, acting as a middle man, and will then label and deliver the packages to the writer.

The letter writer's personal information, such as last name and address, is redacted from the copy of the letter given to the Secret Santa.

"Feels good to help someone you don't know," Maher said. "Especially if it's for basic needs, like food and clothes, that everyone takes for granted."

Operation Santa has origins that date back to 1912, when Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock first authorized postal employees and local citizens to respond to Santa's letters.

Those interested in participating in Operation Santa can visit these locations, listed by ZIP code, only from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 3, 8, 10, 15 and 17:

ZIP codes 900-905, 907-908
Los Angeles District Office
7001 S. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90052
323-586-4380

ZIP codes 906, 917-918, 926-928
Santa Ana District Office
3101 W. Sunflower Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92799
714-662-6227

ZIP codes 910-916
Sierra Coastal District Office
28201 Franklin Pkwy.
Santa Clarita, CA 91383
661-775-6731