USPS gears up for ‘Operation Santa’

By: Noel Hardin

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The United States Postal Service's (USPS) Operation Santa program continues its 113-year tradition of helping families in need receive Christmas gifts. 

The program allows families to either request assistance or adopt others to provide gifts, operating entirely online through the USPS website.

Tara Jarrett, the strategic communications specialist for USPS, noted that while electronics remain popular requests, traditional toys and basic necessities are equally needed. 

"We still have kids wanting Matchbox cars, baby dolls, and things like that," Jarrett said. "We also have adults requesting tennis shoes, clothes, coats, or hats for their kids or themselves. There's a vast array of needs and many options for people to help."

The postal service emphasizes that, despite running the program for more than a century, thousands of families still require assistance each holiday season, with an equal number of families eager to provide support. 

Letter adoptions begin Monday, Nov. 17, through the USPS Operation Santa website, where participants can register to either request help or fulfill holiday wishes for families across the United States.