lorrainethompson's posterous

December, 2010, North Pole–Quick word association: When you think of the North Pole, what one word comes to mind?

Snow? Ice? Santa?

“Stress,” said Ian Elfin, a line worker at Kris Kringle Hand-Crafted Toys located in the world’s northernmost clime. “From Black Friday on,” said Elfin, who agreed to answer a blogger’s questions as the worker hammered a toy train, “it gets out of control up here.”

“I got a knot between my shoulders this big,” said Elfin, raising a hammer-clenched fist and slamming it down on a row of rivets.

According to Elfin, Kris Kringle currently operates at full production. “We’re going 24/7 on three consecutive shifts. But bottom line?” said Elfin, pausing for a sip of peppermint tea, “We need help. That’s why we’re reaching out to Joe Q. Public.”

Global warming and economic downturn slow toy flow to Big Apple

In an unusual show of solidarity, management and rank-and-file workers at the venerable Kris Kringle factory agree: The enterprise cannot meet worldwide demand for toys.

“Global warming’s slaying us,” said Trevor MacFey, Kris Kringle’s Digital Community Manager. “It slows our production. Duh. We’re at the freaking North Pole.”

“Then the economy,” said Elfin. “It grabbed us by the—”

“Throat,” said MacFey. “Time was, kids’ parents could help out. That was then. But now?”

“Forget about it,” said Elfin.

The shortages may be most keenly felt in New York City where the gulf between the US’ greediest and neediest continues to widen. 

Operation Santa: Hidden in plain sight of New Yorkers for almost 100 years

A contingency plan for NYC families has been in place for some time: Operation Santa, a service staffed by clerks at New York’s James A. Farley Post Office on 8th Avenue and 33rd Street. Supported by volunteers, Operation Santa has supplied toys, clothes and good cheer to kids from strapped families for close to a century.

Because of record demand, the normally secretive Kris Kringle staff agreed to throw open the doors of their private works and reveal inside details on Operation Santa.

“I’m ready to spill the beans,” said Elfin. “Just so’s we don’t disappoint the kids. Damn snowflakes,” he said, wiping his eyes.

Here’s what a blogger learned.

Inside the Miracle on 33rd Street: New York City’s Operation Santa

Blogger: What is Operation Santa?
MacFey: Operation Santa started in 1912 as a joint venture between Kris Kringle’s  CEO, Santa Claus, and New York City postal workers.
Elfin: Kids were sending letters to “the North Pole.” The postal clerks started reading and answering the letters. Then some of the workers chipped in and bought presents for the kids.
Blogger: How many letters does the New York P.O. get?
MacFey. It started small, but it ballooned. In 1980 the New York Post Office received around 5,000 letters. In 1998, the number grew to 150,000. Today, New York postal workers sort and read 500,000 letters each Christmas.
Elfin: Every December, it’s like, ‘Boom!’
Blogger: Who runs Operation Santa?
Elfin: New York USPS clerks still run the deal on the side.
MacFey: But with 500,000 letters, they’re overwhelmed. It’s too much.
Elfin: Tell me about it. Try making 500,000 toy trains on the graveyard shift.
Blogger: How can the public help?
Elfin: Take the A, C or E to 34th Street—
MacFey: Come to the Post Office’s James A. Farley building on 8th Avenue and 33rd  Street—
Elfin: Like I said. Across from the Garden. Head in, read the kids’ letters—
MacFey: Select a family for whom you can buy presents. Some kids don’t even want toys. They ask for clothes.
Blogger. Where can people learn more about Operation Santa?
Elfin: I ain’t easy getting the lowdown. The old elf—
MacFey: Mr. Claus, Kris Kringle’s founder—
Elfin: Like I said. He ain’t on Facebook or nothing.
MacFey: Our digital platforms are pathetic. Operation Santa has no SEO. Zero, zip, zilch, nada. Maybe your blog can help us out?

Don’t miss your chance to aid an elf—and a NYC kid.

Given the dearth of online information about Operation Santa—and the pressing need—Elfin and McFey agreed to explain the program’s nuts and bolts to a blogger: New York City’s Operation Santa: The Miracle on 33rd Street Needs Your Help.

Interested in being part of the Miracle on 33rd Street? Hurry. Postal workers stop mailing packages at the end of the day on December 23, 2010.

 “I think your blog readers will find it truly is better to give than to receive,” said MacFey.

“Yeah,” said Elfin, rubbing another snowflake from his eye. “Freakin’ A."

Operation Santa was recently featured in The Wall Street Journal. For historical information on Operation Santa, visit OperationLetterToSanta.com.