The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than just mail and packages this time of year, thanks to a program that's now more than 100 years old, with USPS employees and other volunteers serving as Santa's helpers.

At a time when "goodwill toward men" may seem to be in short supply, many kids across Missouri and the nation will have their holiday wishes answered by perfect strangers, just because they dropped a letter in the mail. It's a timeless tradition: kids writing to Santa, and for more than a century, "Operation Santa" has allowed Postal Service employees to write back. 

While Santa is known for his jolly demeanor, helping him make holiday wishes come true can be heartbreaking, given the nature of some letters. According to the organization,"The very first one that was read out loud was a child not asking for any toys, or electronics, or anything like that that you would expect. He asked for rice and beans. So, a lot of the letters have great need and want." And that even includes touching letters from adults. Some locations will be answering letters right up until the 23rd, even as Santa's sleigh is preparing for takeoff.

Close up of Santa claus touching his eye glasses
Close up of Santa claus touching his eye glasses/ThinkStock
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