Christmas is just around the corner, and Santa is very busy working on children’s wish lists.

To help the Jolly Old Elf, the U.S. Postal Service recently launched its annual Operation Santa program. Through it, folks are invited to spread holiday cheer by fulfilling holiday wishes detailed in letters mailed to Santa.

“Reading through the letters often will tug at your heartstrings, and yet it is very heartwarming to see so much care as thousands get adopted,” USPS spokesman Paul F. Smith said. “We do our best to try and spread the word so we can fulfill all wishes.”

Smith said that requests for Operation Santa are still being accepted. To submit one, send the full name, address and holiday wishes in a stamped envelope addressed to Santa, 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888. Deadline is Dec. 7.

Elves will review the letters and potentially post them online at www.USPSOperationSanta.com. Potential adopters can visit the site, register, review and select letters.

While the notes are redacted to protect the identities of children and families, they can be searched by state.

A recent search of Pennsylvania found children looking for typical favorites like Legos, dinosaurs and toy trucks, as well as a note from a father who had fallen on hard times and requested presents for his wife and children.

Participants can purchase items through the Postal Service’s online catalog on the Operation Santa website. They can also choose to buy gifts on their own and ship them from their local post office.

To help ensure gifts arrive in time for the holidays, adopters should ship gifts no later than Dec. 13. Letter carriers then work as Santa’s assistants as they help deliver packages to recipients’ doorsteps, Smith said.

While that’s been the same for decades, Smith noted that he’s seeing a change in those who participate.

“Over the years I have seen an increase in businesses and organizations holding toy drives, which I think is terrific,” he said. “I think Operation Santa has lasted 113 years because it often allows children or families to receive exactly what is on their list, while preserving the magical belief we all have of Santa.”

Sheila Holman, vice president of marketing for the Postal Service, said that the program receives more letters than it does adopters.

“So if you have the means, we encourage you to adopt a letter,” Holman said. “The earlier you adopt, the sooner you can help make somebody’s holiday wish come true.”