For 95 years, the U.S. Postal Service has been intercepting letters from children to Santa Claus. Some get written answers but some need more. That’s where groups like BeAnElf.org come in.
BeAnElf was founded in 2004 by Patrick Reynolds, who turned his back on his family’s tobacco business and went out to preach a smoke-free message.
Being an elf is simple, it fits into almost any budget and there is security for elf and child built in at the post office, Reynolds said.
Postal workers give volunteers a choice of letters from children who need food, shoes, clothes or just reassurance that someone cares. The elves buy gifts, wrap gifts and deliver them, Reynolds said.
Post offices in nearly every major city in the country can choose how to run their Operation Santa programs. In Los Angeles, there are Santa workshops set up at a couple of postal centers. Check here for Southern California locations.
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