By Tim Harfmann
The United States Postal Service is delivering some magic this Christmas season.
“It’s been a long tradition of us creating a way where people can really help families in need,” said Amy Bolger. She helped kickoff the campaign at the Cadman Plaza Post Office in Downtown Brooklyn.
It’s the one-hundred-seventh annual ‘Operation Santa’ event.
Children write letters to the jolly man and mail them to him at the North Pole.
The postal service lets other people adopt the requests and bring gifts to local post offices.
Bolger said children often ask for toys or clothes — but sometimes the request is a lot harder to fulfill.
“Sometimes you get a kid who’s asking for, ‘my dad needs a job.’ All these things, they really tug at your heartstrings,” said Bolger.
Eighteen-year-old Anna Riddo wrote to Santa hoping to help others.
“I asked for health and happiness to people. People need kindness or something to help them out,” said Riddo.
When a child receives a present in the mail, the package will read ‘from Santa.’
“I work with kids, so I know there are a lot of families struggling; and the kids look forward to getting things for the holiday, and they may not be able to. I think this will be a great opportunity to make them happy,” said Antalaya Israel, who visited the post office on November 20.
“Giving back could actually benefit majority of people because they could feel like they have a place in the world,” Riddo added.
To help them sort the mail, the post office is asking to write to Santa at 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888.
If you know a child who wants to send their wish to Santa, their letter must be postmarked by December 14.