‘Dear Santa’ shines a light on the 100-year-old ‘Operation Santa’ Program of the United States Postal Service. Each year, hundreds of thousands of letters to Santa arrive at Post Offices around the country. Through Operation Santa, the United States Postal Service makes it possible for the public to safely adopt these letters and make children’s dreams come true. The film invites audiences along for the magic of this massive endeavor. Traveling the country, much like Santa does on Christmas Eve, the film focuses on select ‘Operation Santa’ Centers: some in metropolitan areas like the massive operation in New York City and others in small towns where the Post Office is the heart of the community.
Pam says:
If you need a dose of positivity, look no further than director Dana Nachman’s newest documentary “Dear Santa.” The story delves into Operation Santa, a program from the United States Postal Service to help Santa deliver gifts each year. Santa’s elves at the Post Office and helpers everywhere sort through bins of letters and help Santa find a way to answer all of the letters. From crazy requests like rabbits and heartbreaking items like a bed to sleep on to a limo ride around New York City, the requests are fun, fantastic, and simply delightful. Of course, Nachman captures the sweet sincerity of youth as they write their letters to jolly old St. Nick, but it is the interviews with both children and adults, yes adults, that bring out the inner child in you to believe in miracles; or maybe just the goodness of mankind.
Nachman takes us on a whirlwind trip around the U.S. to meet these selfless volunteers, postal workers, and the lucky recipients on Christmas Day. To say this is a heartwarming story is an understatement. It would make even dear old Scrooge himself smile and maybe even shed a tear of joy.
Check out the film through IFC on Amazon Prime beginning Dec. 4, the same day you can also become a helpful elf to make a child’s dreams come true.
