'Operation Santa' goes digital, allows people to adopt letter to Santa

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - "Operation Santa" is back and this year it has gone digital.

For the first time, customers in the Phoenix area are able to go online, read letter written to Santa, adopt one or two, and help brighten the holiday season for others.

"When you read some of the letters, sometimes it's heartfelt," Marty Chavez said. "'We don't have a Christmas tree' and 'bring mommy a bible', and 'can you bring my little brother some cars?' So it really pulls at your heartstrings."

"Operation Santa" has been around for over 100 years, but this year, Phoenix is one of seven cities that have online access to adopt a letter through "Operation Santa," then deliver a package to select USPS facilities throughout the Valley using the new, touch-screen kiosk.

"Those letters will be uploaded to a digital database and then people will be able to go online at delivercheer.com and look at those letters," Chavez said.

Starting today, you can adopt a letter by visiting delivercheer.com and help to make a difference by helping a child or family experience the magic of Christmas.

"I think this has the opportunity to go nationwide this year and really help out a lot of kids who may not necessarily have a Christmas," Chavez said.