Apalachicola FL PO welcomes kindergarten class

The Apalachicola FL Post Office conducted a school tour for the local ABC charter School. 

The tour is an annual event for the Kindergarten class, which also tours other neighboring businesses.

Postmaster Justine Battle hosted the tours and taught the children how a letter travels. 

Sales and Service Associate Pamela Shiver explained stamp collecting and shared the history surrounding the Jenny stamp. 

The children received postal coloring books and crayons at the completion of their tour. 
 

"There were several parents that joined the students on their tour as well, and were equally amazed by the internal operations of our business," said Postmaster Battle.

There were three tour groups led by their teachers and teacher assistants.

The first group was lead by Marisa Getter, teacher assistant at ABC School. Group 2 was lead by Mrs. Miriam Maxwell, Kindergarten Teacher, and Stacy Johnson, teacher assistant. The final group was lead by Heather Friedman, K5 Teacher.

Gulf Atlantic paints the district pink in October

Post Offices across the Gulf Atlantic District embraced the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign.

They decorated their offices, wore pink, worked with other organizations in their communities and helped to advance the fight against breast cancer.

Here are some of the highlights:

Ocala

Ocala Main Office employees think pink for Breast Cancer. From left to right:  SSA Frank Tatasciore, SSA Kathy Sidella and SCS, Danny Anderson.  We decorated the gypsy cart in pink and flowers and most of the SSAs wore pink.

St Augustine

Even though the St Augustine Carrier Annex doesn't have a retail that doesn't stop the carriers from getting involved with the fight for a cure.

Albany GA


Employees at the Albany Main Post Office decorated the lobby in support of Breast Cancer awareness in the month of October.

Fernandina Beach

They have a very intimate relationship with this cause one of their own is currently battling this disease so they ran a strong campaign to promote the Breast Cancer stamps.

Anastasia Island


Anastasia Island Finance Station, SSA Anne Landess made this out of items from the Dollar Store, way to go Anne. Fight for the cure.

Pensacola passport fairs generate extra revenue

Pensacola  recently was host for two successful Passport Fairs which generated more than $2,100 in revenue.

The first fair at the Navy Federal Credit Union was held exclusively for Navy Federal CU employees and their families. There were 31 customers processed at this event.

The second Passport Fair at the University of West Florida  was held for students, family and faculty. There were 33 customers processed at the college.

The Passport Clerks accepting applications  were Sales and Service Associates Bridgette Morris and Vicki Reed  who work  at the Nobles Station in Pensacola.

U.S. citizens must present a valid passport book when entering or re-entering the United States by air. U.S. citizens entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry must present a passport book, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government. 

Information on the cost and how to apply for a U.S. passport is available at travel.state.gov.

U.S. citizens may also obtain passport information by phone, in English and Spanish, by calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778. 

Glen St. Mary Post Office is "Tickled Pink"

(reprinted from Hometown Journal)

The Glen Saint Mary Post Office is “Tickled Pink” this October in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This post office has been very busy organizing community events and contests during the
month of October and their efforts have certainly brought about awareness.

This year, recently appointed Postmaster Latrelle McDowell, welcomed the chance to show her support for the community and breast cancer awareness. With window clerks Lisa Prescott and Missy Whitehead, they organized
the first “Tickled Pink” Breast Cancer Awareness Fun Walk/Run with funds going to support local hometown heroes fighting breast cancer.

The walk/run was not timed but was a joining of the community in support, fellowship and exercise. Guest speakers, Felecia Williams and DeeDee Swindell, spoke about the need for awareness, timely checkups and shared their own
personal stories about overcoming their own breast cancer.

The walk began and ended at the post office with a scenic course in the neighboring area behind the post office. The only award given was the “Most Spirited” award won by DeeDee Swindell in her outstanding show of “pink awareness”.

Many thanks to our local co-sponsors and a special thanks to the sheriff’s offi ce for sending a deputy to help guide the way.

A super shout out to retired Glen Saint Mary Rural Carrier Carolyn Raulerson for managing the refreshment table at the walk.

The employees of the Glen Saint Mary Post Office brought the community together even more by creating a poster contest for the 2nd grade students of Westside Elementary. Votes were tallied from community
Voting with judging by Home Town Journal editor Laurie Wall.

Here are some of the Glen Saint Mary customers that participated in the community walk.

Sales and Service Associate Missy Whitehead along with the spirit award winner DeeDee Swindell of Glen Saint Mary.

Lake Butler hero recognized by District Manager and Postmaster General

Gulf Atlantic District Manager Charley Miller presented  Lake Butler Rural Carrier Associate Robin Reeder a “Heroes” mug as a token of appreciation for alertness and thoughtfulness in helping others. 

 She also received a letter from the Postmaster General commending her heroism and selfless display of civic duty.

While delivering her route on September 3rd, she came to the aide  of an elderly customer who was outside of her home calling for help. The home was burning and smoke was billowing out of the building. 

She provided valuable assistance and saved the life of a young woman by pulling her out of the burning house.

(See previous blog posting on October 8, 2013)

Jacksonville Mail Handler on mission to help youth

Jacksonville P&DC Mail Handler LaWan Siplin has a mission: to provide dorm supplies to challenged youth going off to college.

She accomplishes this through her non-profit organization called Transformations Collegiate Collective, Inc. (TCC), a community based non-profit organization that assists college bound high school seniors with supplies needed to outfit their college dorm roo m. 

Siplin has been doing this for three years and each year the mission gets bigger and bigger which has necessitated a move into a larger storage unit to accommodate all the supplies. 

In 2010 as Siplin prepared for her oldest daughter to move to a college campus, she noticed that many of the students didn’t have the necessary items to make dorm life easier. Things such as bedding, towels, eating utensils, etc. were missing for the students leaving home for the first time.
  
Siplin discovered that a lack of finances played a big part in this situation . The need of others turned into a vision, in a three-year period, which now assists more than 100 high school seniors in the Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville, FL.

This past year the First Annual College Tribute Giveaway became a reality for this single mother of three daughters.  Working with school guidance counselors, the students were nominated based on need, acceptance into a college or university and plans to live in on-campus housing.  

"I feel the students worked hard and in a lot of instances defied the odds of graduating from high school much less attending college, so I wanted to lessen the burden on these students that needed assistance," Siplin said. "I'm proud of the work I'm doing to assist college students."

Ms. Siplin has been working tirelessly to ensure that the next giveaway, slated for Saturday, May 17, 2014, is a huge success.  She begins early each year, purchasing  sale items and bargaining with store personnel, paid from her own contribution and donations from individuals, businesses, organizations, volunteers and her church to make this College Tribute Giveaway a successful day for the Jacksonville community.  

Of course she uses the USPS for all of the mailing needs for TCC.  Ms. Siplin says, “To have is to give and to give is to have enough to give. All I require is that the students from the class of 2013 pay it forward to the next class by volunteering at the next giveaway.”  

Next year her organization will help more than100 students in the class of 2014.  Siplin is definitely making a difference in her community.

Jacksonville schedules Federal employee benefits fair

The Federal Employee Health Benefits Fair for the employees of the Jacksonville and surrounding area postal facilities is scheduled for November 6th and 7th at the Jacksonville GMC and NDC.

Open Season for signing up for benefits runs from November 11 through December 9, 2013.

Wednesday – November 6th, 2013
•    Location: Jax NDC – 6:30 AM -10:30 AM
•    Location: Jax GMC – 2:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Thursday – November 7th, 2013
•    Location: Jax GMC – 6:30 AM -10:30 AM
•    Location: Jax NDC– 2:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Jacksonville NDC – Cafeteria
7415 Commonwealth Ave
Jacksonville FL 32209-9998

Jacksonville GMC – Cafeteria
1100 Kings Rd
Jacksonville FL32203-9998

Daylight Saving Time Ends November 3

Remember to "fall back" this Sunday, November 3.  Turn back your clocks by one hour at 2 am.

Talbotton GA welcomes new Postmaster

Manager, Post Office Operations Angela Collier recently welcomed new Talbotton, GA RMPO Postmaster Wanda Watson.

Watson started with the Postal Service in May 2004 as a PMR for Geneva, GA.  After only 25 days she became the Officer-in-Charge.

She then moved to Howard, GA where she served as the OIC for five years and then she was back to Geneva to OIC again.

Even as an OIC she has worked as she was needed, traveling to nearby offices such as Ideal, Junction City and Box Springs to work in the afternoons.

Maccelnny FL Post Office joins ‘Read for the Record’

(Reprinted from BakerCountyPress.com)

Supervisor Customer Service Nathan King (pictured) from the Maccelnny FL Post Office, reads to children at the PreK-Kindergarten Center the morning of October 3 as part of “Read for the Record,” an annual event in which millions of individuals across the country attempt to break the world record for reading the same book on the same day.

This year’s book was Otis by Loren Long, which was provided to schools across the region by the Early Learning Coalition of Northeast Florida along with activities for kids to do after reading the story about a old tractor named Otis.

Before reading the book, children at the center interacted with real-life tractors brought to the campus by the Macclenny Kubota dealer.

Georgia rural carriers assist local Sparta community picnic

Rural Carrier Associates Ron Hawkins (on left) and James Lawrence recently showed their support in their local community of Sparta GA during the community's annual Labor Day Picnic. 

Ron and James are both RCAs at the Sandersville GA Post Office.  

Postmaster Judy Miller said she is proud to have both on her team in Sandersville.  "Both employees go above and beyond helping the other person.  Great job guys.  Keep up the good work."

Melrose FL Post Office joins Fire Department for Breast Cancer Awareness effort

When the Melrose FL Post Office began preparing for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, everything began to turn pink inside the post office. 

There even was a Pink Survivors Tree to hold the ribbons of those you want to remember when customers buy special Breast Cancer Stamps. 

The only thing missing in the Pink Postal Wonderland was pink uniform shirts.  

For the small community of Melrose this was not a problem.

The Melrose Volunteer Fire Department, who were also supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month, made the Post Office Gals Honorary Firemen for the Day so they would not be out of uniform and could wear the fire department's Pink Awareness uniform shirts.

"What better way to show everyone that Melrose cares," said Postmaster Debbie Adkins.

Warner Robins GA employee praised for service

The best way to judge the Postal Service's ability to make a difference is feedback from customers.

Here is a letter from a Warner-Robins GA customer to Postmaster Willie Finney describing outstanding service she received from Bulk Mail Technician Joseph Dinkins.

Mr. Finney,

We spoke earlier this afternoon regarding the great service I received from the Post Office yesterday.  I sealed my passport package without putting my checks inside. 

When I realized what I had done about 30 minutes later, I called the Post Office to check if my package was still in house.  The clerks kept me on the phone until they located my package and put it aside for me until I could return later that afternoon. 

The clerk that waited on me when I returned was Joe-the passport agent.  He double checked my package for accuracy and was able to save my envelope so I wouldn't have to pay for postage twice. 

The other clerks were also very helpful.  I'm sorry that I don't have their names too.  Their service saved me from a potential delay in receiving my passport.  I wanted to take this time to express to you how much I appreciate their above and beyond service.

 Respectfully,

Cindy H. Foster

Gulf Atlantic PCCs receive awards

Three of the Gulf Atlantic District's Postal Customer Councils (PCC) recently received Premier Awards for their activities over the past year.

Postal Customer Councils were established in 1961 to improve communications between USPS customers and managers. The organization has grown increasingly more important since the 1970s, when business mailing issues became a primary focus.

Today there are more than 200 local PCCs with approximately 100,000 members across the nation. Regular meetings, education programs, mailer clinics and seminars keep members informed of developments.

Members also work with local Post Offices to make mail service more efficient, resulting in improved delivery and greater customer satisfaction.

The mission of PCCs: promote cooperation and support of Postal Service initiatives; foster a close working relationship between USPS and business mailers; share information and exchange ideas about new and existing products, services, programs and procedures; help PCC member organizations grow professionally through focused educational programs.

Member benefits include: networking; learning new methods and processes for a more productive mailing operation; interacting with USPS managers, vendors and other industry professionals; finding new ways to make your business more profitable.

The Northeast Florida PCC received their 5th Gold Award in 2013.

In the photo left to right are NE PCC Executive Board Members: USPS Marketing Manager Lucious Sumlar,  Pitney Bowes/Major Account Manager Cathy Virtuoso, USPS Acting Customer Relations Coordinator Amy Escobar, USPS Acting Senior Plant Manager Steve Hardin, USPS Gulf Atlantic District Manager Charley Miller,  Innovative Strategic Alliances, President/CEO Leila LeVan, Officer-in-Charge of Jacksonville Post Office Debra Gornik, TC Delivers/Senior Vice President Dan Lawlor, CSX/Supervisor HQ Mail Center Mike Hartell, Jacksonville University Administrator Becky Frank, Watson Realty/Administrative Manager Lucille Johnson, Robert Atkinson of ING, and Incepture Print Solutions/Director Gene Rauch.

Gulf Atlantic District Manager Charley Miller (left) and Pensacola Acting Postmaster Kyle Wieck congratulate Panhandle PCC Industry Co-Chair Ernie Kington for being named a Premier Silver winner on National PCC Day.

The Big Bend Postal Customer Council in Tallahassee recently was awarded a Bronze level certificate.
In the photo left to right are:  Industry Co-Chair Robert Fink, Postal Co-Chair Gregory Willis, and District Manager Charley Miller.  Sarah Carraway coordinated the events and Shibani Gambhir was the guest speaker from Postal Headquarters.

GFA District employees reach service milestones

The Postal Services recognizes career employees with service award pins at the 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of creditable government service.

These awards are not to be taken lightly as many of our employees retire or leave military service prior to beginning work with the USPS.   

All of the employees recognized have built their careers in different areas, yet they have demonstrated their abilities to remain committed.

Here are some recent honorees:

Tallahassee Secretary Sarah Carraway--35 years

Jacksonville Manager Information Systems Janie Yates--30 years

Jacksonville OIC Debra Gornik--25 years

Jacksonville Labor Relations Manager Joe Walker--25 years

Fleming Island team is ranked #2 nationally in RCE

When Gulf Atlantic District Manager Charley Miller informed the Fleming Island team they were #2 in the country for the Retail Customer Experience (RCE),  Lead Sales and Services Associate (SSA) Richard Hanneken stated: “We want to be #1.”

Postmaster Darla Ferguson feels the success comes from the SSA’s treating the customers the way they would want to be treated. She is very proud of her team and said,  “Their ultimate goal is to be #1 in the country.”

RCE gives the Postal Service an objective view of our retail locations.

It can be used as a real-time snapshot of a customer interaction. It is not just about the score.

It is even more important that the results drive changes in behavior that will result in improved customer satisfaction and increased retail revenue.

The attributes measured in the Mystery Shopper program should become so commonplace to our everyday performance that if the program were to end tomorrow, it would not change the customer's retail experience in any way.
Mystery shoppers record how long they spent in line, how the retail unit looked, how courteous the retail associates were, and other details about their visit.  


The Fleming Island team includes from left to right: Area Manager Customer Service Paul Birge , Supervisor Ruben Soto, Fleming Island Postmaster Darla Ferguson, Lead SSA Richard Hanneken, PSE Calvin Wright , SSA Kathleen Valdes, Jacksonville Post Office Officer-in-Charge Debra Gornik, District Manager Charley Miller, Marketing Manager Lucious Sumlar, and Acting Area Manager Customer Services Bill Spangler.

Lake Butler FL carrier delivers young woman from burning house

(Reprinted from Union County FL Times)

As a substitute mail carrier, Robin Reeder has to be ready to go wherever she's called--even a burning building.

Recently, Reeder was on her route in southwest Union County when she happened upon a mobile home on fire with a woman running to her for help.  A young woman lay inside as smoke filled the dwelling.

"The lady came running out of the trailer just hollering help, help, help!" Reeder said.

The carrier called 9-1-1 and went to help the older woman, who couldn't walk very well, to retrieve a young woman passed out inside the home.

Reeder dragged the young woman outside as paramedics arrived.  Both women fully recovered.

Reeder has worked at the Lake Butler Post office for more than six years and didn't think what she did was a big deal, saying she mostly saw smoke at the time. "Anybody would have gone in there to help the young woman."

Postmaster Nathan King Is not so sure, and commended Reeder for her heroic efforts.

Ray Charles Forever Stamp Debut Includes Music CD

 
The U.S. Postal Service is selling a CD of Ray Charles’ music in conjunction with the recently released Forever Stamp celebrating the entertainer’s legacy.

“Ray Charles Forever!” from the Concord Music Group includes re-mastered classics of “Come rain or come shine;” “America, The Beautiful;” a previously unreleased recording of “They can’t take that away from me;” “I didn’t know what time it was,” a bonus track only released on the postal version of the CD; and nine other tracks. The CDis being promoted with a TV ad campaign in targeted markets.

The CD is priced at $9.99 and is available at nearly 5,000 select Post Offices, including all Premiere Offices. The CD also is available for purchase online at usps.com/shop.

The Ray Charles Forever Stamp debuted on Sept. 23, 2013 on what would have been the singer’s 83rd birthday. The stamp is the latest in the 2013 Music Icon series.

Born Sept. 23, 1930, in Albany, GA, Ray Charles Robinson was raised in the small town of Greenville, FL, where a local boogie-woogie pianist gave him his first piano lessons.

At the age of five, Charles began to go blind. His right eye was surgically removed. He learned to read Braille and was given lessons in classical piano and clarinet. He also taught himself to play saxophone while continuing to listen to a mix of jazz, blues and country music.

After his mother died in 1945, Charles left school and went to work in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa as a professional musician. In 1948, he went to Seattle, WA, and formed a group known as the McSon Trio. Charles signed with Atlantic Records in 1952, where he had his first national hit, “I’ve Got a Woman,” in 1955.

Charles assembled his own band, touring along with his quartet of backup vocalists, the Cookies, later known as the “Raeletts.” In 1959, Charles scored a major hit on both the rhythm and blues and pop charts with “What’d I Say?”

But Charles could not be defined or contained by one musical style. He appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival and recorded a successful album with Milt Jackson of the Modern Jazz Quartet. In 1959, when offered financial incentives, Charles left Atlantic for ABC-Paramount. His growing audience continued to expand with two number one hits, “Georgia On My Mind” (1960) and “Hit the Road Jack” (1961).

Looking back over the course of his long career, there seemed to be little Charles couldn’t do. His work spanned almost the entire breadth of American music and brought him 17 GRAMMY Awards; the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986; an award for lifetime achievement in 1987; the National Medal of Arts in 1993; and, his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Many of this year’s other stamps may be viewed on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, via Twitter at @USPSstamps or at beyondtheperf.com/2013-preview.

Jacksonville Post Office assists Jaguars with passports

 The Jacksonville Post Office was asked to assist the National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars in processing the players' and their families' passports for their trip to London England for an October 27 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Supervisor Wanda McKinney explained the process.  "We sent the Jaguars all the required documents needed to apply for a U.S. passport.  We were asked if we could come to them and process the players so we went  to the Jaguars' training facility at Everbank Field and verified all the documents ."

McKinney and SSDA’s Christopher Butler, Melissa Baker and Khaquita Douglas went over to the stadium and started the process during the two-day event . Those that couldn't make the special passport event made arrangements to come to the Post Office at a later date.

"We processed a total of 50 players and their family member," said McKinney. "It was a lot of fun and the players and the environment were awesome."

Postal Customer Councils meet across Gulf Atlantic District

The week of September 16-20 was the Postal Service's annual Postal Customer Council  (PCC) Week across the country and across the Gulf Atlantic District. This year's theme was "Innovating Together."

PCC Week is an important event for the Postal Service because it’s the one time of the year when the entire Postal Customer Council network and the entire leadership of the Postal Service come together as one to celebrate successand focus on the future.

Gulf Atlantic events were held in Augusta GA, Jacksonville FL, Pensacola FL and Tallahassee FL.

Three Gulf Atlantic PCCs received Premier awards for their hard work during the past year: Northeast Florida--Gold; Panhandle PCC--Silver; and Big Bend (Tallahassee) PCC--Bronze.

"PCC Week is also a symbol of the Postal Service’s commitment to customer service, to the future of the mail, and to our partnership," said Gulf Atlantic District Manager Charley Miller. "And like all partnerships, this is a relationship that works two ways."

"At PCC events, you have access to a network of mailing and business professionals who are willing to share best practices and offer solutions that help your businesses perform better," Miller said. "You also have access to local Postal Service managers who are responsible for the collection, processing, distributionand delivery of your mail."

Conversely, the PCC network is constantly providing the Postal Service with the feedback needed to make certain that  customers’ needs are being met.

The Postal Service responds to that feedback with actions such as educational seminars, webinars, PCC cafes and a new speaker’s bureau resource on a re-designed PCC website.

"Two-way communication is what a true partnership is all about," said Miller.

Augusta GA PCC Meeting

The Central Savannah River Area PCC held National PCC Day at the Augusta Main Post Office.  Debra Gornick Officer In Charge in Jacksonville FL was the guest speaker.  Brenda Harris, Business Mail Entry Unit Supervisor spoke on Small Business Tools - full service Imb and Al Mooney, Revenue Driver spoke on Every Door Direct Mail.  Karen Bridger, Gulf Atlantic BSN also attended and participated in answering members questions.  Postamster Paul Steele opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and introducing our speakers.

Big Bend (Tallahassee) FL PCC Meeting

Gulf Atlantic District Manager Charley Miller addresses attendees at the Big Bend PC meeting which was awarded the Premier Bronze level certificate. Headquarters Manager Network Development and Support Shibani Gambhir was the guest speaker.

Panhandle (Pensacola) FL PCC Meeting

Gulf Atlantic District Manager Charley Miller (left) and Pensacola Acting Postmaster Kyle Wieck congratulate Panhandle PCC Industry Co-Chair Ernie Kington for being named a Premier Silver winner on National PCC Day.