'Operation Santa': Postal Service, Good Samaritans Team Up To Fulfill Christmas Wishes

Each winter, the New York City Post Office dedicates a team of workers to opening the millions of letters that pour in for Santa.

Local volunteers also pitch in, offering to buy gifts for needy kids who pen the letters -- like one 8-year-old boy whose unemployed father can't provide him winter clothes.

Together, this team of people make holiday wishes a reality.

NBC Nightly News went behind the scenes at Operation Santa in New York City.

WATCH:

Comments

[Emily O]

03:39 PM on 12/22/2010

It's one thing to actually try to give gifts to some of these kids, but to try to continue on the myth of Santa is just downright wrong. Ugh.

[susanthe]

09:58 PM on 12/19/2010

Once Christmas is over, we can go back to not caring. We suck.

[I3addog]

09:35 PM on 12/19/2010

I wish I were a billionaire so I could help each and everyone.

[FTracy3]

12:22 PM on 12/19/2010

C'mon ACLU, separation of church and state! And Humbug!

[oonamanoona]

01:25 PM on 12/19/2010

Thank goodness no religious affiliation is needed to do this. Last I checked many who celebrate Santa's visit have none.

[ReligiousWar]

11:39 AM on 12/19/2010

This is so sick in so many ways.
Children should be protected from religion.

[oonamanoona]

01:26 PM on 12/19/2010

... and Grinches, too, especially when the children need warm clothing.

[ReligiousWar]

10:06 PM on 12/19/2010

Yes I hate that religious people teach their children to hate those who refuse to participate in their religion. Some people don't like religion and the things done in its name. Some people don't want to participate in religious events and should not be forced to do so. They use and teach their children to use hateful words like Grinch and Scrooge.

The children in this story are being abused. It is awful.

[jws2346]

10:39 AM on 12/19/2010

This is a beautiful story. No matter how disgusted and unfeeling I get reading about some of the low down dirty things our pols do (I have to be PC) My faith in human kind is restored when I read the actions of unselfish, wonderful people like this. It makes me so very proud to be an American. To be in America, the SAME country as the peeps in the article.

[LisaCACO]

10:38 AM on 12/19/2010

the letters break your heart.

[Tropiholic]

10:25 AM on 12/19/2010

there are still good people out there who care for the less fortunate. everyone isn't a selfishgreedypig.

[Rangergirl]

10:03 AM on 12/19/2010

Such a great story. Just like the Greg Kinear movie...Lovely people that help..