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As the Pasadena Jaycees’ longest running project, Operation Santa has touched the lives of thousands of children since 1934. And it all starts with a letter.
Children in Pasadena send letters to Santa, toys are purchased and donated, and hundreds of volunteers, dressed for the occasion as Santa, Mrs. Claus, and elves deliver thousands of toys to children’s homes on Christmas Eve.
While Operation Santa was originally rooted in the Christmas holiday, children from all backgrounds and religions are encouraged to write letters to celebrate the season. Toys are geared toward children in 8th grade and under.
Check out our FAQ to learn more specifics about the project or contact [email protected] with specific questions.
If you would like a gift from Santa this year, please click the link below to submit your letter, and please plan to be home on December 24 between 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.!
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Spread the festive spirit of the holidays by getting involved in this amazing project! Join the committee, volunteer to be a Santa, elf or Mrs. Claus, help sort toys, and more!
Sign up here if you are interested in getting involved! We will be in touch with more details as Operation Santa gets closer. Check out our FAQ to answer any questions you might have right now, or email [email protected] with any questions.
Help us reach our goal of delivering a toy and a STEAM gift to thousands of children in the Pasadena area.
There are a number of ways to donate to Operation Santa:
Help collect toys by requesting a decorated barrel to place in your office, business, or another high-traffic area.
Request toy tags to hand pick gifts for specific children or families. Let us know how many families or children you’d like to purchase for.
Donate a toy from our Amazon wishlist. This will help us meet the specific requests of the children we serve.
Purchase toys of your choosing and drop them off at our office. Please email [email protected] to coordinate a drop off time first!
Sponsor the gifts for an entire family. $30 supports a family with 2 children, $50 supports a family with 3 children, and $100 supports a family with 6 children.
Donate the tax deductible amount of your choice via PayPal. You can also donate via check to Pasadena Jaycees Foundation, 474 W. Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91103.
Help spread the word to children and families in need and/or potential volunteers and donors!
Email [email protected] for our latest information flyers and details or simply direct people to opsanta.com.
Letter submissions usually go live mid to late November.
Letters can typically be submitted until December 20 or 21. But the sooner you submit, the better.
Pasadena, California. Specifically the following zip codes: 91001, 91030, 91108, 91006, 91104, 91105, 91101, 91011, 91007, 91106, 91103, 91107, 91024, 91025, 91011, 91012, 91020, 91021, 91006, 91007, 91066, 91077, 91732, 91775, 91776, 91778. Unfortunately, we are not able to deliver to areas outside of Pasadena.
Typically Santa will bring 1-3 toys per child. We try to deliver toys based on submitted preferences, but specific toys are dependent on that year’s donations. We also do our best to give each child a STEAM-focused toy (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math).
Please check spam and junk folders. Email your first and last name and home address to [email protected] and we can confirm if we received your submission.
Yes. Send your confirmation number and the additional children’s names, ages, and toy preferences to [email protected].
Send your first and last name, confirmation number, and updated address to [email protected].
Our Santa teams typically arrive at the submitted addresses on Christmas Eve 4:30-8:30pm. We can communicate the request to your Santa team but can’t guarantee the exact arrival time due to the volume of houses Santa has to visit.
Unfortunately the delivery window on Christmas Eve is the only time Santa is available to make deliveries, we are unable to arrange for toys to be picked up another time. If you already submitted a letter form but will no longer be home, please email [email protected] to let us know your plans have changed. Submit a form next year and we’ll see you then!
Please email [email protected] and we will coordinate a time with you.
Please email [email protected] and we will coordinate with you. A committee member will be assigned to drop off and collect the barrel, and can stop by to collect as needed if it fills up.
You can sign up to volunteer at the form linked here.
Santa, Mrs. Claus, and elves suits are provided. If you own one, feel free to wear it!
