Oklahoma residents can now sign up to participate in the USPS Operation Santa program, a nationwide effort that matches donated gifts with holiday wish‑list letters from children and families across the country. Registration opened today, and the Postal Service is encouraging churches, businesses, schools and community groups to form teams that adopt entire households, ensuring every member of a home experiences the joy of the season.

How to become an adopter

Prospective adopters must complete a short online registration and identity‑verification process. Even those who have adopted letters in previous years must re‑verify each December. Once approved, participants can begin selecting letters on November 16 and have until December 12 to ship the gifts.

Steps to grant wishes

• Visit the USPS Operation Santa website to create an account and verify identity.
• Browse the database of letters and choose a single letter or an entire household.
• Purchase gifts either directly through the online catalog, known as Santa’s Gift Shoppe and powered by Toys “R” Us, or shop independently.
• Ship the gifts by December 12 using a participating Post Office or the online catalog’s shipping service.

Sheila Holman, vice president of marketing for the Postal Service, explained, “Every year we receive thousands of letters filled with holiday wishes, often outnumbering available adopters. Many letters come from entire households, so we encourage companies and organizations to form teams to adopt a household together, ensuring everyone in the home can share in the joy of the holidays.”

Why the program matters

Operation Santa has become a beloved tradition that brings together volunteers, businesses and faith‑based groups to support families facing financial hardship during the holiday season. By adopting a household, participants can provide multiple gifts at once, creating a more meaningful experience for children and parents alike.

The partnership with Toys “R” Us continues to make the online gift catalog a convenient option for adopters who prefer to shop from home. For those who enjoy the tactile experience of selecting gifts in person, the traditional method of purchasing locally and shipping from a Post Office remains available.

Community impact

Local churches, civic clubs and charitable organizations across Oklahoma have already expressed enthusiasm for the program. Many see it as an opportunity to involve youth groups and families in a hands‑on service project that reinforces the values of generosity, gratitude and community spirit.

For more information and to begin the adoption process, interested Oklahoma residents should click the registration link on the USPS Operation Santa website.

Original reporting: KTUL 8 (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.