Operation Santa Claus facts for kids

Operation Santa Claus is a yearly initiative undertaken by the United States Postal Service. It was started in 1912 when United States Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to start responding to needy children, with the first one starting at the James Farley Post Office.

For those seeking the Santa Claus holiday postmark through the United States Postal Service, they should send their letter from Santa or a holiday greeting card by December 10 to: Santa Claus, PO Box 202, Santa Claus, IN 47579.

For those seeking the North Pole holiday postmark through the United States Postal Service, they should send their letter from Santa or a holiday greeting card by December 10 to: North Pole Holiday Postmark, Postmaster, 4141 Postmark Dr, Anchorage, AK 99530-9998.

Operation Santa Claus program in Alaska

Santa and Mrs. Claus exit a C-130H Hercules aircraft at St. Mary's, Alaska, Dec. 5, 2015

Over 25 years, the Salvation Army in cooperation with the Alaska Air National Guard use C-130 Hercules to distribute every year gifts to children living in remote places in Alaska before Christmas.

See also

• Operation Christmas Drop, annual U.S. airforce drop over Micronesia