Friday, December 20, 2024
They’ve made wishes come true
USPS employees share their experiences of being in the ‘Dear Santa’ series
Johnnie McRae-Stephens made one of the most memorable deliveries of her career last Christmas.
The Savannah, GA, letter carrier brought gifts to the home of a young military wife who had turned to the USPS Operation Santa program for help fulfilling the holiday wishes of her two children.
Through USPS Operation Santa, generous people grant the wishes of people in need by adopting their letters to Santa Claus.
“I’m Santa’s helper,” McRae-Stephens announced as she arrived at the family’s home with the children’s gifts.
The delivery was filmed for the second season of “Dear Santa, The Series,” a documentary series about USPS Operation Santa that debuted on ABC-owned TV stations and began streaming on Hulu this holiday season.
McRae-Stephens — whose episode debuted a few weeks ago — said she was “overwhelmed” when she was invited to participate in the filming.
“I just thought we work so hard during the holidays to provide cheer to people and it meant a lot that the Post Office was involved in the program,” she said. “It was such a great experience and hopefully more people will want to be a part of USPS Operation Santa.”
McRae-Stephens is one of several Postal Service employees who appear in “Dear Santa” this season.
Ernest Twomley, a New York City letter carrier, also filmed a segment in which he fights back tears while reading a letter from a 12-year-old boy who wrote to USPS Operation Santa to ask for gifts for his mother, father and sisters.
“It is an awesome program and an honor to be chosen to appear in the series and actually deliver gifts to this family,” Twomley said. “It was a joy to watch their excitement. The feeling that you get when you actually see that smile on a kid’s face and their family — it was all genuine.”
Santa Fe, NM, Postmaster Louisa Bell said her grandchildren think she’s “a movie star” after watching her recent appearance on “Dear Santa.”
Bell, who served as a Post Office operations manager in Denver at the time of the filming, appears in an episode in which she talks with a boy who wants help getting a Lego set and more for his best friend.
“I am happy to be part of the program, and being in ‘Dear Santa’ was the coolest thing ever,” Bell said.
USPS adjusts Priority Mail Express refund policy
The change applies to packages shipped from Dec. 22-25
As it has done for years, the Postal Service will implement a no-refund policy for Priority Mail Express packages shipped from Sunday, Dec. 22, through Wednesday, Dec. 25, under the following two conditions:
• The one-day shipment was mailed between Dec. 22 and Dec. 25 and was delivered, and
• Delivery was attempted or achieved within two business days of the mailing date.
The policy is a response to the increased package volume and winter weather conditions that can affect the organization’s standard 1-2-day service commitment during these four days and is similar to that of competitors.
The adjusted refund policy will appear at the bottom of customers’ Priority Mail Express receipts.
USPS retail associates and other employees should remind customers of the policy and encourage them to check usps.com for holiday shipping deadlines.
People
Lighting up the town
A PMG Heroes’ Program honoree flips a switch and two Post Offices handle care packages for the military
Rural Carrier Associate Jaylen Lockhart, a recent Postmaster General Heroes’ Program honoree, was recently given the honor of lighting his hometown’s official Christmas tree.
Lockhart has received recognition from the city of Aurora, IL, for helping 78-year-old resident Guy Miller after he fell while walking his dog. He comforted Miller and called for others to help before heading to the customer’s residence to summon family members to the scene.
“Not all heroes wear capes; some carry mailbags,” Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin said in a statement. “Jaylen’s actions have ensured the Miller family has a wonderful holiday season. So it’s only fitting that Jaylen flip the big switch to light our Christmas tree and usher in the holiday season.”
The Miller family took to social media to praise Lockhart’s actions and thank him for stopping to help while delivering mail. The story has gone viral and resulted in invitations throughout the holiday season.
In addition to a seat at the Miller family’s Thanksgiving dinner, Lockhart was honored at an Aurora City Council meeting, where it was announced that Aug. 29 — the date of his birthday — will be known as “Jaylen Lockhart Day.”
The Chicago Tribune later referred to Lockhart as Aurora’s “most famous Good Samaritan.”
Serving those who serve
Employees at two USPS facilities recently handled large shipments of care packages to military members serving overseas.
At Fort Point Station in Boston, retail associates Melissa Sooyee and Wendy Tejeda processed 300 packages destined for Kuwait. The packages were sponsored by the Teamsters Local 25 and Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Veterans Services.
“A neighborly organization and a veterans group wanted to spread holiday cheer to our active military people, and the Postal Service was the glue that held this operation together,” said Brian Cronin, station manager. “It’s a great feeling, and we’re grateful to be a part of it.”
Added Sooyee: “Processing these packages felt different — especially since my brother is in the military and he is stationed overseas. It was special.”
In the Old Bridge, NJ, Post Office, retail associates processed 170 Priority Mail large flat-rate boxes before the retail window officially opened at 9 a.m. It took three weeks of planning to make it happen.
Employees processed the mailing “seamlessly and ensured its success,” said Cynthia Maroldi, customer services supervisor.
“People” appears regularly in Link. Got news to share? Email us.
News Quiz
Hangin’ with Mr. ZIP
How much do you know about this year’s holiday gift options?
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end.
1. Many USPS-themed gifts are available this holiday season, including a Mr. ZIP Christmas ornament. How much does the ornament cost?
a) $27.99
b) $31.99
c) $35.99
d) $39.99
2. The Winter Whimsy stamps depict four digital renderings of which of the following designs?
a) Icicles
b) Owls
c) Snowflakes
d) Stars
3. The New Deal mural inside the Strasburg, VA, Post Office features which of the following agricultural scenes?
a) Apple orchard
b) Barn raising
c) Laborers harvesting peanuts
d) Trucks full of tobacco
4. The 1 billionth mailpiece of the 2024 peak season, a Priority Mail package delivered to the Santa Claus Museum in Indiana, contained which of the following items?
a) Chimney cleaner
b) Chocolate chip cookies
c) Quill pen and ink jar
d) Reindeer harness
5. True or false: Federal ethics rules allow “Secret Santa” gift exchanges, but participation must be voluntary and the noncash gifts must cost $10 or less.
a) True
b) False
Answers: 1) a. 2) c. 3) a. 4) c. 5) a.
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They’ve made wishes come true
USPS employees share their experiences of being in the ‘Dear Santa’ series
-
USPS adjusts Priority Mail Express refund policy
-
People
Lighting up the town
A PMG Heroes’ Program honoree flips a switch and two Post Offices handle care packages for the military
-
News Quiz
Hangin’ with Mr. ZIP
How much do you know about this year’s holiday gift options?