Georgia carriers inducted into Million Mile Club

Three more North Florida District letter carriers from Georgia were recently inducted into the National Safety Council’s Million Mile Club for 30 years of accident-free driving.

The Million Mile Club is the National Safety Council’s highest safety honor among professional drivers and recognizes drivers who have driven more than one million miles or more than 30 years without a preventable accident.

The United States Postal Service and the National Safety Council have teamed up to promote and ensure the safety and health of the USPS workforce nationwide.

As a long-standing member of the National Safety Council, the United States Postal Service has established an agreement with the Council that entitles all facilities to take advantage of member benefits in an effort to prevent unintentional injury and illness.

Eligible postal employee participants of the Safe Driver Award Program include those who have a normal daily assignment that involves the driving of a motor vehicle for official business use, and who have not had their driving privilege revoked or suspended.

Cochran GA

Cochran GA Rural Carrier Russell Smith received his Million Mile award from North Florida District Manager Charley Miller (left) along with Postmaster Joseph Molewski, and Post Office Operations Manager Angela Collier.

Cordelle GA

Cordelle GA Letter Carrier Gary Parker received his Million Mile award from Post Office Operations Manager Angela Collier (left), Supervisor Janet Brubaker and North Florida District Manager Charley Miller.

Dexter GA

Dexter GA Rural Carrier William Barrs received his Million Mile award from  Post Office Operations Manager Angela Collier (left), PMR Deborah Rowland and North Florida District Manager Charley Miller.

Augusta GA PCC holds quarterly meeting

The Central Savannah River Area's quarterly Postal Customer Council Meeting was held on December 12 with 40 customers in attendance.
 
It was the first opportunity for customers to meet and greet Augusta's new Postmaster, Paul Steele. 

Supervisor Business Mail Entry Kirsten Davis spoke on the new rules for folded self mailers.

She also talked about the The Intelligent Mail barcode which is a 65-bar Postal Service™ barcode used to sort and track letters and flats.

It allows mailers to use a single barcode to participate in multiple Postal Service programs simultaneously, expands mailers’ ability to track individual mailpieces, and provides greater mail stream visibility.

Al Mooney also gave a short presentation on Every Door Direct Mail. 

View more pictures by clicking "Read More".

Reidsville GA rural carrier recognized by PMG as hero

North Florida Acting District Manager Charles Miller recently recognized Reidsville GA Rural Carrier Glenda Durrance with a Postmaster General Hero Award.

She also was recently interviewed by television station WTOC as a hometown hero for her life-saving action.

Customer Annie Will Joyce’s Reidsville home was destroyed by a fire last August.

Fortunately Durrence was on her regular route and drove up to the mailbox in front of Mrs. Joyce’s home just as the fire was gaining momentum.

She saw the smoke billowing out of the doors and from under the eaves of the house.

Glenda jumped out of her truck and ran into the yard where a woman said Mrs. Joyce might be inside the house.

Durrance ran onto the screened front porch to the door where the black smoke was boiling out.

She stepped inside the burning house, located Mrs. Joyce near the front door, and helped her outside.

Durrance said, "I try to be aware of my customers.  This event happened so fast, I didn't even think about it."

Congratulations and thank you.  You are a true hero!

UNIQUE POST OFFICE BOX CREATED FOR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AFFECTED BY NEWTOWN CT TRAGEDY

uspsnewsbreak

The U.S. Postal Service has established a unique Post Office Box to allow
employees and the public to send condolences to those affected by the tragedy in
Newtown CT last week.

Those who wish to send expressions of comfort should address them to:

Messages of Condolence for Newtown
PO Box 3700
Newtown CT 06470

USPS understands that there is an outpouring of support for everyone in the
Newtown area and hopes to make it easier for those who wish to send
encouragement and messages of compassion to those affected. Thousands of
letters are pouring in from around the world and this will make it easier to isolate this
mail for efficient distribution.

The Postal Service wants to express its support not only to the residents and others
in the Newtown area, but to our employees who are working hard to ensure efficient
delivery of this mail. Through letters and cards, families will be able to hold that
friendship in their hands and to read those kind words at a time and place that
supports their pace of healing.

South Carolina customer defends use of direct mail

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Recently Ted Fortenberry shared his opinion on so called "junk mail."

I agree we should not simply waste our natural resources, however, cutting out marketing mail would have significant repercussions, like job loss and loss of business for many local companies like mine, Duplicates Ink.

Consider This: Without business marketing mails, which is the number one revenue source for the postal service, what do you think the cost of one stamp would be? Five dollars?

The primary raw material used in direct mail is a renewable resource, paper. And there are 20% more trees in the U.S. today than on the first Earth Day in 1970.

As for the environmental impact, direct mail makes up less than 3% of municipal solid waste. Think how long it takes discarded TVs, computers, keyboards and phones to decompose at a landfill.

So if you want to be more green, buy a book instead of an e-reader and send a handwritten note instead of an email.

Post Office Sets Up P.O. Box for Sandy Hook Condolence Letters

A mourner takes a picture of 26 teddy bears, each representing a victim of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, at a sidewalk memorial, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Newtown, Conn. A gunman walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Friday and opened fire, killing 26 people, including 20 children. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on Friday has broken hearts around the globe and the U.S. Postal Service has established a unique Post Office Box for people to send letters of condolence to the community.

“We understand that there is an outpouring of support for everyone in the Newtown area and we hope to make it easier for those who wish to send encouragement and messages of compassion to those affected,” Kimberly J. Peters, Connecticut Valley District Manager for the U.S. Postal Service, said in a statement.“

Those who wish to send expressions of comfort should address them to: 

Messages of Condolence for Newtown
PO Box 3700
Newtown CT 06470

USPS establishes new Columbus location with Grand Opening in Storage Master

COLUMBUS, GA — Products and services offered by the U.S. Postal Service are now easier than ever for postal customers in the Columbus area to access with the opening of a Contract Postal Unit (CPU) located within Storage Master at 1955 Northside Industrial Blvd.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and Grand Opening celebration was held December 6 to officially open the new Storage Masters CPU.

The Storage Master CPU offers postal customers an additional option to access postal products and services, and is a quick, easy, and convenient alternative to the Main Post Office for retail transactions.

The Storage Masters CPU is open from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday – Friday, and from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday.

What’s a CPU? It’s a Contract Postal Unit located inside a retail establishment and run by the retailer’s employees. 

These in-store CPUs offer a wide range of U.S. Postal Service products and services at the same prices found in traditional Post Offices.

To find other Postal outlets near you, call 1-800-ASK-USPS, or go online to www.usps.com , click on the “Locate a Post Office” tab, and follow the prompts.

Attendees were Postmaster Barbara King, Supervisor Customer Services Lesley Moore, Secretary Patricia Clayberger, Supervisor Customer Services Justine Battle, Retail Specialist Kim Vojtech, Storage Master Manager Michelle Brazeall, and two Columbus Chamber of Commerce representatives.

Customer compliments service of Alachua Florida employees

I have been meaning to extend my compliments to the Alachua Branch Staff (32616) for their stellar customer service for a few weeks.  

I am originally from a big city where postal workers hardly acknowledge one's existence.  

It is such a pleasure doing business at my local branch because of the warm, welcoming service I receive each time I visit. 

I have already spoken with one staff member, and he suggested I visit the website to let someone else know. I know I'm not alone when I say I truly appreciate them.

Regards,

Chantelle Gomez, MS

Alachua, FL 32615

USPS will shorten hours for Christmas, New Year's Eve

 Retail lobbies at Post Offices nationwide will be open for business Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24, and New Year’s Eve, Monday, Dec. 31. But most will shorten their hours, closing at noon.

Regular mail delivery will not be affected by these changes.

Post Offices will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 1. Only Express Mail will be delivered on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day in most major metropolitan areas. Post Offices will be open during their normal times Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

Revised hours will be posted at each Post Office.

USPS also is advising customers to deposit their mail in collection mailboxes before noon for early pickup on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.

TOP 10 EXPERT TIPS FOR FLAWLESS HOLIDAY MAILING

Wrapping and gifting done — or at least almost! Be sure to help your readers avoid the last-minute mailing and shipping rush to keep the season merry. Take note of these common tips sure to keep the season bright — and Santa busy!

1. Print addresses clearly and in all CAPS and be sure to include all address elements — apartment numbers, suite numbers, directional information for streets. For example: 123 S Main St. or 12456 Elm St. N.

2. Include both “to” and “from” information on packages — and only on one side. Mark packages, “Fragile,” in large print on the outside of the box when shipping breakable materials.

3. Never guess a ZIP Code. Visit usps.com to find all ZIP Codes.

4. Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents. Leave space for cushioning inside. Do not reuse mailing boxes — they weaken in the shipping process. Customers can purchase ReadyPost boxes at a local Post Office. Express Mail and Priority Mail boxes, envelopes and tubes are free. With Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes, if it fits, it ships.

5. Cushion contents with shredded or rolled newspaper, bubble wrap or foam peanuts. Plain airpopped popcorn also is good for cushioning — it’s inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Pack contents tightly to avoid shifting during transit.

6. Always use tape that is designed for shipping, such as pressure-sensitive tape, nylon reinforced craft paper tape or glass-reinforced pressure-sensitive tape. Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape or cellophane tape.

7. Place an extra label or notice with the delivery and return address inside the package. This ensures the safe return of an item that could not be delivered should the outside label become damaged or fall off.

8. Remove batteries from toys. Wrap and place them next to the toys in the mailing box. Customers should include the new batteries in the manufacturer’s packaging.

9. Stuff glass and fragile, hollow items, like vases, with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately.

10. Customers preparing international packages can complete customs forms, pay postage, print a shipping label and receive a discount, too, online at usps.com/clicknship. And don’t forget — Express Mail delivery occurs on Christmas.

Jacksonville SSA finds co-workers full of the holiday spirit

On December 7, Jacksonville SSA Glorious Rivers, told her coworkers about the nursing home where she volunteers.

When Glorious returned from lunch, she was so surprised to find her co-workers had filled over 80 bags with goodies for the nursing home.

“This is truly the season for giving and my co-workers helped bless this nursing home, she said. "I am so happy to work with people like the clerks at the General Mail Facility.  Coming to work is easy when you have a group like this to work with.” 

In her spare time, Glorious assist with a number of organizations including her local church where she teaches American Sign Language. Great job Glorious!

Quick Tips for Holiday Mailing

Two North Florida District letter carriers receive Million Mile awards

Two North Florida District letter carriers were recently inducted into the National Safety Council’s Million Mile Club for 30 years of accident-free driving.

The Million Mile Club is the National Safety Council’s highest safety honor among professional drivers and recognizes drivers who have driven more than one million miles or more than 30 years without a preventable accident.

The United States Postal Service and the National Safety Council have teamed up to promote and ensure the safety and health of the USPS workforce nationwide.

As a long-standing member of the National Safety Council, the United States Postal Service has established an agreement with the Council that entitles all facilities to take advantage of member benefits in an effort to prevent unintentional injury and illness.

Eligible postal employee participants of the Safe Driver Award Program include those who have a normal daily assignment that involves the driving of a motor vehicle for official business use, and who have not had their driving privilege revoked or suspended.

Ocala, Florida

Charley Miller congratulates Randy Johnson, Letter Carrier, Ocala, FL as a Million Mile award recipient.

 

Dublin, Georgia

Charley Miller congratulates Million Mile recipient William "Buddy" Roberts.

Pictured left to right are: OIC Keith Lamb, MPOO Angela Collier, Letter Carrier Roberts with wife Jammie Miller, and District Manager Charley Miller.