Due to the pandemic, this holiday season will be a struggle for many families looking to provide presents to give to their children. Thanks to outreach programs like Operation Santa, some of that burden could be lifted. 

Carmen Karpel of Hell’s Kitchen is celebrating Christmas in a meaningful way this year. 

What You Need To Know

  • 108th year for United States Postal Service program “Operation Santa”

  • Due to the pandemic, this will be the first year where the only way to view letters for adoption is online

  • If you’re interested in potentially adopting a letter, log on to ‪uspsoperationsanta.com‬. Letters accepted through December 15

“I love the Christmas spirit,” Karpel said.

On the same day that she bought a tree for her apartment, Karpel decided to take part in Operation Santa, responding to letters like this one from a girl in Nebraska.

“Dear Santa, This is Claire again!” the letter reads. “I would like for Christmas an iPod touch. Maybe you will get it for me because I don’t think my grandma will.”

“Oh my god, so cute!” Karpel said after she read the letter aloud. “Well, yes, she is going to get her iPod Touch!”

Thanks to the generosity of Karpel and many others participating in Operation Santa, the US Postal Service says thousands of letters to St. Nicholas from children and families who are struggling will once again get answered this Christmas.

Gail Branham, a customer relations coodinator for the Postal Service, runs the program, now in its 108th year. 

Branham is Operation Santa's Chief Elf and she says many of the letters to Santa this year have been especially heartbreaking.

“We’re seeing a lot of letters from people who are needing things because their resources have been reduced due to the COVID shutdowns,” said Branham. “They may not be working as many hours. They may not be working at all.”

The pandemic has also forced Operation Santa to make a significant change to its operations.

For the first time, the letters from children are not available to view at the local post office. This year, the only way to get involved in the program, which is accepting letters ‪through December 15‬, is by participating online.
 


“Makes you feel happy to do this, right?” NY1 asked Karpel, after she placed an order online to fulfill the wish of the letter she adopted. “Of course!” she responded. “I’m thrilled to be part of this.”

Karpel hopes Claire in Nebraska loves her gift.

“I wish I could see her smile, but I know she will love it,” said Karpel. 

If you’re interested in potentially adopting a letter, just log on to ‪uspsoperationsanta.com‬.