BeAnElf.org shows you how to obtain a letter to Santa Claus written by a child who needs a brighter Christmas.

At participating Post Offices™ you can read real letters to Santa from needy kids, and choose one or more letters that touch you. Then send your gifts in the US Mail, marked "from Santa" if you like. We are not affiliated in any way with the United States Postal Service.®

When you volunteer in this way, there's no middle man or charity -- it's micro-philanthropy, direct from you to a child.

You and your family will catch the true spirit of the holidays.

Our group's mission is simple: to create awareness of the little-known USPS® Operation Letters and Letters to Santa program, especially in cities where there aren't enough volunteers to handle letters; to recruit new volunteer "elves" for this time-honored USPS program; and to help people get the real Christmas spirit.

You can make a needy child's Christmas wish come true. Please volunteer!

At this site, you will learn how to find out whether or not the letters from children are available at a postal branch in your city. If not, we'll suggest other ways for you to be an elf.

We're hoping to link to a complete list of participating USPS branches from the Postal Service™ by late November, 2009. This Directory will be avialable at www.USPS.gov. Again, frBe An Elf is not affiliated in any way with the United States Postal Service.®

If you can't volunteer your time to get gifts for needy children who write to Santa, please donate online to Be An Elf or give by check to support our group's mission, stated above. You may give anonymously online.

Your gift will help us let more people know about the Operation Santa program, started by the USPS in 1912. Help us recruit new volunteers, and together we can make more children in need smile on Christmas morning.

Please donate now or better yet, volunteer to be an elf!

UPDATE: Since we filmed our You Tube video in 2007, the USPS® now asks that gifts be delivered only through the mail, and not in person, due to privacy concerns. They attach a coded shipping label to each child's letter and all children's addresses are removed. Only the US Postal Service® knows where the children live, and can deliver your gifts for you.

Also, not every city has a postal branch offering this program. Even large cities typically have only one or two branches which offer it; please see the link to the new National Directory of Post Office™ facilities offering Operation Santa and the Letters to Santa program.

Be An Elf is not affiliated in any way with the United States Postal Service.®

Be An Elf is not affiliated in any way with the United States Postal Service.®

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Logo design donated by Giovanni Dizon (gdizon at mac.com). Principal photography licensed through istockphoto.com. Additional photography donated by elves. Video filmed by Patrick Reynolds and edited by James Connolly (jamespc1234 at msn.com). Principal website design and digital imaging donated by art101.com. Additional website design and site updates donated by elves. © 2007 BeAnElf.org. All rights reserved.