Be An Elf

Be An Elf's mission is to make underprivileged children smile on Christmas morning and to inspire volunteers with the real spirit of Christmas. Every December since 1912, the public has been permitted to read and adopt letters to Santa from needy children at select postal branches. Their letters often ask Santa only for "new shoes for my older brother," a special toy, Christmas dinner, or new clothes. Be An Elf is a charity that supports the US Postal Service's Operation Santa ®, though not affiliated with it. 

In 2019 the USPS program went online, making it possible for volunteers in the US to adopt letters from home and later mail their gifts directly to the needy child or struggling family. There’s no middle man or charity when people participate in this way; it’s micro-philanthropy, direct from each volunteer to a child. Volunteers catch the true spirit of the holidays and put smiles on the faces of underprivileged kids on Christmas morning. To learn more visit www.BeAnElf.org