Thursday, September 19, 2024
USPS Operation Santa teams with Toys ‘R’ Us
The new collaboration will help simplify the letter adoption process
USPS Operation Santa has formed a new collaboration with Toys “R” Us that will make participation in the annual program easier than ever.
Since its inception more than a century ago, USPS Operation Santa has allowed generous people from across the United States to help fulfill the holiday wishes of families in need by adopting their letters to Santa Claus.
On Sept. 16, the program began accepting letters that children and families write to Santa to express their hopes and dreams for the holiday season.
Through the collaboration with Toys “R” Us, letter adopters can easily select and purchase gifts from a specially curated e-commerce website.
“Delivering holiday joy has never been easier,” said Sheila Holman, USPS marketing vice president. “And our partnership with Toys ‘R’ Us is just the beginning. This year, we’re excited to offer a curated selection of toys and playthings, and next year, we’ll be expanding to include clothing, shoes, books and more. Our goal is to make it even easier for people to personalize their gift giving and help more families experience the magic of the holidays through USPS Operation Santa.”
Gary Haas, Toys “R” Us e-commerce vice president, said the retailer is “thrilled to be partnering with USPS Operation Santa to empower more letter adopters this holiday season. By simplifying the adoption process and offering a curated selection of gifts, we are making it easier for individuals and families to spread joy to children in need and make their holiday dreams come true. Together, we’re creating magical moments that will resonate for years to come.”
Also this year, USPS Operation Santa has added the option for adopters to send gifts using the Postal Service’s latest shipping offering, USPS Ground Advantage. This service offers a simple, reliable and affordable way to ship packages across the nation, with delivery times ranging from 2 to 5 business days.
Additionally, USPS Operation Santa will be highlighted in the new season of Hulu’s original docuseries “Dear Santa,” debuting Sunday, Nov. 24. The series will feature real-life stories of children whose letters were answered and the generous individuals and families who adopted them.
The letters that children and families send to Santa are anonymized and made available for adoption on the program’s website, USPSOperationSanta.com. Generous individuals, families and organizations can browse the letters, adopt one or more of them and fulfill the letter writer’s holiday wishes.
The website has additional information, including instructions for participation.
A new stamp celebrates Hanukkah
The release evokes the holiday’s traditional colors
The Postal Service will release its latest Hanukkah stamp on Thursday, Sept. 19.
The stamp features an image of a hanukkiah, the nine-branch candelabra used during the holiday.
Antonio Alcalá, the stamp’s art director and designer, created the ink drawing using irregular lines to suggest a more human presence.
He completed the image by digitally adding blue to the stamp background and white to the hanukkiah, evoking the holiday’s traditional colors. The flames are rendered in yellow.
USPS issued its first Hanukkah stamp in 1996. Additional stamps have been released on a regular basis since 2004.
Hanukkah celebrates the reclaiming of the Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C.
The Temple had been desecrated by a conquering army. Worshippers prepared to rededicate the holy space but discovered that only one small jar of consecrated oil remained, enough to last one day. Rather than wait for more oil to arrive, they lit the Temple menorah, which burned for eight days.
The “miracle of the oil” is celebrated during Hanukkah with the ceremonial lighting of the hanukkiah.
This year, Hanukkah begins Wednesday, Dec. 25, and concludes Thursday, Jan. 2.
The Postal Service will dedicate the new stamp at the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC.
The stamp will be available in panes of 20 at Post Offices and usps.com.
Keeping the USPS network safe
Here are the best practices for ACE computer users
The Postal Service is reminding employees and contractors to adhere to cybersecurity best practices to protect the USPS network.
Employees and contractors with ACE computers should always:
• Lock their computers before stepping away by pressing the Windows and L keys or by pressing the control, alt and delete keys;
• Create a password with a minimum of 15 characters, including letters, numbers and special symbols;
• Complete all required CyberSafe at USPS trainings before their due dates; and
• Report suspicious emails using the “Report to CyberSafe” button in the Outlook toolbar.
Employees can also volunteer to become a CyberSafe guardian to help promote cybersecurity awareness best practices.
The CyberSafe at USPS Blue and LiteBlue pages have more information.
Central Area, Michigan 2 District on top in scanning
A snapshot of Postal Service scanning data shows the national rating was 97.5 percent during the week ending Sept. 13, down 0.14 percent from one week earlier.
The data was collected Sept. 18.
Central led the four areas with a rating of 97.75 percent, while Southern ranked last with a 96.93 percent rating.
Among the 50 districts, Michigan 2, part of Central Area, ranked first with a 98.5 percent rating, while Georgia, part of Southern Area, ranked last with a 94.56 percent rating.
Scanning data allows customers to track their mail and packages, which helps USPS deliver excellent service, boost loyalty and drive revenue.
To see the latest data, go to the Informed Visibility website and select “Customer Experience,” followed by “DES 2 Scan Performance.” Postal Service employees must request Informed Visibility access through eAccess.