“Dear Santa, I love you,” begins Armik’s letter to the North Pole’s big guy.
“My mommy tries so hard to create Christmas for me and my sister. Would be nice if you could help her out a little.”
Tug. Tug. We’ve got this, fellow elves. Join me in reporting for duty, conjuring holiday magic and easing St. Nick’s onerous load.
Once upon a time you’d pick a tag with a family’s wish list from the company Christmas tree to spread this kind of holiday cheer, but who has an office anymore? The U.S. Postal Service’s Operation Santa — now in its 111th year — is like a digital version of that tree.
Search for letters that tug at your heartstrings at www.uspsoperationsanta.com/. Specify a state if you like, or search nationwide. Then “adopt” a letter (or several), do the retail therapy thing and pop the stuff into the U.S. mail. It’ll land with a return address from the North Pole itself.
Say what you will about the Postal Service and its $6.5 billion deficit. How does one pass up the opportunity to sprinkle this kind of magic at this time of year?
“The program relies solely on random acts of kindness and the generosity of strangers,” the Postal Service says. “It allows people to help children and families have a magical holiday when they otherwise might not — safely and securely.”
The letter from Maria spoke to me. “I work full time and am raising two of my grandkids who are 7 years old — twin boys,” she writes. “I am really struggling. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.”
Yes, you’ll find letters from kids who want the moon — expensive computers ($1,000+), PlayStations ($500), ride-on electric cars (start around $199) — but you’ll also find wishes for size 11 kids’ tennis shoes and warm pajamas and bedtime books to read because mom or dad is sick and can’t work and they’re trying to be good, so very very good!
These, as one participant said, melt your heart into a puddle.
Now, I was raised…
Read the full article here
