Operation Santa needs helpers

Every year, the Arlington Heights Post Office receives letters from children addressed to Santa. These children put their faith in the U.S. Postal Service. Many will still receive the presents on their wish list from loved ones — but some will not.

The USPS Operation Santa program was created over 100 years ago to ensure children’s and families’ wishes are heard each holiday season.

What used to be an opportunity for local postal employees like me to respond to children in our towns and cities has grown into a national online program for individuals to adopt letters from children and families across the country.

I am proud to share that last year, the residents of Arlington Heights joined thousands of Americans across the country who took on the responsibility of helping Santa make these children’s wishes come true.

We continue to receive letters every year, though, and ask readers to give back this holiday season by visiting uspsoperationsanta.com to adopt a letter and donate presents to these children.

Letter adoption begins on Nov. 16, but readers can register now. Presents need to be shipped no later than Dec. 12 to arrive by Dec. 25.

Adopters can also join forces with friends, family, coworkers or community groups to divide up the wish list from an individual child or an entire household with multiple children in need.

I am so thankful to the members of our community for their generosity and hope we can continue to deliver to those who might otherwise go without this holiday season.

Sean Hargadon, Arlington Heights Post Office