Friday, November 22, 2024
Don’t distribute illegal drugs through the mail
In a new video, employees are warned against colluding with criminals
In a new video, Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale and USPS Inspector General Tammy Hull warn Postal Service employees about the importance of not using the mail to distribute narcotics.
The video is the second in a three-part series from the Postal Inspection Service and the USPS Office of Inspector General that aims to educate employees about the dangers of colluding with criminals.
The first segment focused on protecting arrow and modified arrow lock keys.
Postal Service managers will show the video to employees throughout the organization this week and next.
‘Dear Santa, The Series’ is back with new episodes
The TV show focuses on the USPS holiday program
“Dear Santa, The Series,” a TV show about the USPS Operation Santa program, will begin its second season soon.
The series will air on ABC-owned television stations, beginning Sunday, Nov. 24, and will stream on Hulu, beginning Friday, Nov. 29.
Like the critically acclaimed documentary “Dear Santa” — which streamed on Hulu in 2020 — “Dear Santa, The Series” focuses on USPS Operation Santa, the beloved 112-year-old program that allows generous people to fulfill the holiday wishes of families in need by adopting their letters to Santa Claus.
The first season of “Dear Santa, The Series” premiered in 2022.
The five-episode second season will introduce viewers to some of Santa’s most memorable young letter writers, the human “elves” he taps to make their holiday wishes come true and the Postal Service employees who make everything possible.
“USPS Operation Santa has captured the heart of the holiday season for more than 112 years, bringing people together through kindness and generosity,” said Sheila Holman, the Postal Service’s marketing vice president. “We’re excited for the new season of the ‘Dear Santa’ docuseries to shine a light on this incredible American tradition, showing how small acts of goodwill can make a big difference.”
The “Dear Santa, The Series” website has more information.
People
Seek and find
Employees rack up big wins in a contest and a retiring carrier receives a heartwarming sendoff
The Postal Service’s recent Equipment Scavenger Hunt proved to be a bigger success than a previous competition held in 2022.
The contest, which ran from Aug. 12 to Sept. 8, encouraged employees to locate, return or properly dispose of unused computers, furniture, and retail, delivery and networking equipment.
More than 15,000 returns were received during the four-week hunt, compared with approximately 13,700 returns two years ago.
This year, participants were also allowed to use their Lean Six Sigma skills to the test and complete 6S — safety, sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain — tasks and yellow-belt certifications for points.
Among the four areas, WestPac generated more than 400,000 points, while Arizona-New Mexico led the 50 districts with 228,000 points.
Nadia Hale, an Arizona-New Mexico District Post Office operations manager, was the highest contributor at the district level with about 800 returns.
The Dallas Main Post Office, led by Postmaster Daniel Reyes III, was the top office, racking up 40,000 points.
Overall, more than 630 6S tasks were completed and 320 Lean Six Sigma yellow belt certificates were awarded during the contest.
What a Buda-ful day
Bill Buda’s last day on the job as a letter carrier has received national attention.
Buda’s daughter, Alex, filmed her dad as he made his final deliveries on his 12.2-mile route in Silver Lake Village and Stow — two communities in the Akron area.
The video — which shows customers giving Buda a heartwarming sendoff — has amassed over 500,000 views and almost 25,000 likes since Alex Buda uploaded it to Instagram.
The tribute has also received coverage on “Good Morning America,” in People and in other news outlets.
“People took the time to say, ‘Happy retirement, Bill!’ This just went on and on all day. I mean I probably could have stayed out there until midnight. Absolutely awesome,” said Buda, who worked for USPS for more than two decades.
“People” appears regularly in Link. Got news to share? Email us.
News Quiz
Revenue recall
How much do you know about the year-end financials report?
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end.
1. Fill in the blank: USPS reported total operating revenue of (blank) during the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30?
a) $1.8 billion
b) $9.5 billion
c) $79.5 billion
d) $89.5 billion
2. Who will succeed Joseph Corbett as the Postal Service’s chief financial officer?
a) Joseeph Bruce
b) Angela Curtis
c) Luke Grossmann
d) Elvin Mercado
3. True or false: The new Postal Service Health Benefits Program does not affect the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program.
a) True
b) False
4. What is the subject of Postal Bulletin’s Nov. 14 edition?
a) Energy Action Month
b) Open season
c) Peak season
d) USPS Hazmat Awareness Month
5. Which star of “The Golden Girls” will be honored with a stamp next year?
a) Beatrice Arthur
b) Estelle Getty
c) Rue McClanahan
d) Betty White
Answers: 1) c. 2) c. 3) a. 4) d. 5) d.