Tale of Two Cities: Hollywood, Miami Welcome SpongeBob 'MailPants'

Back L to R: Perry Dempsey, Operations Programs Specialist; Art Niciforo, Operations Programs Specialist; Angel Gual, A/Manager, Delivery & Customer Service Programs; Thomas Metcalfe, Operations Programs Specialist; James Williams, Operations Programs Specialist; Janice Atherly, A/Manager, Operations Programs Support.  Front L to R: Operations Programs Specialists Zahira Figuereo, Lenora Banks, Patricia Nolan, Dalila de la Torre, and Connie Rayford.  Photos:  Barry D. Artiz

With the help of the popular SpongeBob SquarePants character, the U.S. Postal Service and Nickelodeon are promoting letter writing for children. In fact, SpongeBob has changed his last name to "MailPants."

SpongeBob is a childish, eccentric sea sponge who lives in a pineapple in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom.  The SpongeBob character resembles a yellow kitchen sponge with pants.  

In South Florida, it’s the tale of two cities:  Hollywood and Miami each have a SpongeBob-wrapped collection box.  Special thanks to Maintenance employees Building Equipment Mechanics Donald Myers and Mike Vareen, and Area Maintenance Technicians Agustin Fernandez and Rand Najimian who safely secured SpongeBob to collection boxes in front of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Miami Children’s Hospital.

The South Florida District Operations Programs Support Team created and decorated their office Christmas tree with SpongeBob replicas, and blue and yellow ribbons and ornaments. Now the tree will greet patients and visitors in the lobby of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital for the holiday season.

Miami Building Equipment Mechanics Donald Myers (L) and Mike Vereen (R)

Photo:  Lenora Banks

Area Maintenance Technicians Agustin Fernandez (L) and Rand Najimian (R)

  Photo:  Lenora Banks

A Thank You Card & Some Flowers ...

A customer thanked Riviera Beach Retail Associate Crystal Rolle for going out of her way to help him with a passport.  As you can see, he gave her a thank you card and flower.  "All of our Retail Associates do a great job, and to have a customer come back to show his appreciation is very nice," said Pablo Estupinan, Manager, Customer Service.  

Thank you and congratulations, Crystal ... you make us all proud!

Homestead RCA Rescues Toddlers

On Saturday, November 16, Homestead Rural Carrier Amber Maldonado was delivering mail when she spotted two toddlers in diapers wandering from their driveway onto the road.  Immediately, she secured the mail and her vehicle, and then ran to the small children.  She recognized both children, but there was no answer at the door of their residence.  Maldonado contacted her supervisor, Gareth Scott, to advise him of the situation.  Then she called the police. 

Maldonado remained with the children, calming and caring for them as they were frightened and too small to know their own home.  When the Homestead Police arrived, they took charge of the children, and Maldonado stayed on scene until the children's guardians were located.  Maldonado then acted as translator between the police and the guardians.

“Without a doubt, her decisive action and caring attitude protected two infants in harm’s way,” said Scott.  “She may very well have saved their lives as no one was aware they were even missing.  Amber showed the very best of the Postal Service by doing her moral and civic duty.”

Maldonado was grateful that she was in the right place at the right time to help the children.

“Several people had passed by and did nothing to help,” Maldonado said.  “I helped because it was the right thing to do, but I’m a humble person, not a hero.”

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

New Forever stamps featuring images of Harry Potter, the extraordinary boy wizard, and the adventures he encounters with the friends, heroes, villains, and creatures that make up his world.  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort was the location for the historic stamp unveiling ceremony. 

The folded 20-stamp booklet has five pages.  When folded, the front cover features the title Harry Potter, with an image of Harry playing Quidditch, the beloved wizarding sport. The back cover features a young Harry in class, taking notes with his quill.  When the booklet is opened, an illustration of Hogwarts castle covers two pages on the back, with text that reads, "Just before his eleventh birthday, a boy received a letter that would change his life...and captivate the imagination of fans for generations."  Selvage text appears on the fifth page.

Inside are five groupings of four stamps, each grouping set on its own page. Each set of four stamps surrounds the red wax seal of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The stamps feature scenes of some of the brave heroes, fearsome villains, and extraordinary creatures that inhabit Harry’s world in the Warner Bros. films.

'Excellence in Safety'

To recognize our employees’ outstanding commitment to safety, the Southern Area Safety Office has initiated the “Excellence in Safety” Awards Program.  Below are recent recipients in the South Florida District:

Pompano Beach Letter Carrier Beth Bowness has been instrumental in all the safety success experienced in Pompano Beach, said Postmaster Ed Coppola.  “Beth has excellent communication skills in which she shares her knowledge and skills with managerial and craft employees, as well as with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  Due to her involvement and knowledge, Pompano became the first city in the nation to achieve three OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) star ratings.  Bowness also helps each station prepare for their annual Program Evaluation Guide (PEG) reviews.  “Pompano always achieves the highest PEG scores in the South Florida District,” said Coppola.  Just recently, Bowness helped the Tropical Reef Branch achieve a PEG score of 93%.

Letter Carrier Hinch M. Gilliam is the assistant Safety Captain and a member of the Emergency Evacuation Team at the Pembroke Pines Branch.  He assists with all safety inspections, safety talks, and safety orientation for new employees.  Gilliam maintains a personal accident-free record in his 26 years as a letter carrier.  “His contribution to this office is invaluable,” said Manager, Customer Service, Madelyn Paris.  “He is a model employee and serves as a coach and a motivator to all employees.”

Miramar Letter Carrier Michael Brisebois is a 30-year veteran who is reliable and dedicated to the Postal Service and its customers.  He also is committed to the safety of his co-workers, according to Manager, Customer Service Gwen Branch.  “He assists with safety talks and is a member of our Emergency Evacuation Team,” she said.  “He is creative and resourceful, and we have benefitted greatly from his innovative ideas.  He has handled a full range of responsibilities including being in several safety videos during his career.”

West Hollywood Hills Custodian George Simpson does an outstanding job, according to Manager, Customer Service Nelson Cortes.  In addition to his custodial duties, Simpson serves as Safety Captain and participates in monthly safety meetings.  He ensures that the West Hollywood Hills Branch and Hillcrest Postal Store are in “top safety shape,” according to Cortes.

Coral Springs Letter Carrier Phillippe Fenner has not had an at-fault vehicle accident as a 26-year employee.  According to Manager, Customer Service Rose Mannisto, Fenner is very safety conscious and inspects her vehicle every morning.

Letter Carrier Patricia A. Lelekacs of the North Ridge Annex is an on-the-job instructor for the carrier craft and instills in new employees the importance of working safely in the office and on the street.  She has demonstrated exemplary performance in her 30 years of service.

Hialeah Lakes Rural Letter Carrier Javier Juan has not had an at fault accident in 13 years of employment.  In addition to his regular duties, Juan participates in Career Days at local schools.  His presentations enlighten young students on the proper and safe usage of the vehicle fleet.

Deerfield Beach Letter Carrier Charles McCaslin is a 34-year postal veteran who is a role model.  “His record shows that he performs his job in a very safe and professional manner each and every day,” said Postmaster Butch Belanger.  “His commitment to his position and the respect from his co-workers and customers is commendable.  He works in a safe manner so that he can go home to his family and come back the next day to do it all over again.” 

Equipment Operator Larry Perlberg works at the South Florida L&DC.  As a member of the Tour 1 Safety Team, he is aware of his surroundings and is the first one to address a co-worker who is not observing safety regulations.  He is quick to explain the importance of following safety rules to ensure a safe environment for all employees, according to Brian Goldstein, Manager, Distribution Operations.

Goldstein also nominated Equipment Operator Robert Lampley for Excellence in Safety recognition.  “Robert is very safety conscious and supports his co-workers with their daily routing, including helping stack hampers and empty equipment,” said Goldstein.  “He pays attention to equipment, making sure items that are not in working order are red tagged and ensuring that equipment does not block the aisles.” 

Holiday Military Shipments: A 'Priority'

Making sure those serving in the nation’s armed forces receive their holiday presents and care packages is a priority for friends and family members of military personnel serving around the world --- and for the U.S. Postal Service.

The Postal Service offers a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate box at $14.85.  The price includes a $2 per box discount for military mail being sent to APO/FPO/DPO (Air/Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office, Diplomatic Post Office) destinations worldwide. 

Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are available at no cost at local Post Offices, or can be ordered online at shop.usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online anytime using Click-N-Ship.

To ensure timely delivery of holiday wishes by December 25, send cards and packages to military APO/FPO/DPO addresses overseas no later than the mailing dates listed below:

Military Mail Addressed To and From	Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS)1	First-Class Mail Letters and Cards	Priority Mail	Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)2	Space Available Mail (SAM)3
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092	Dec-17	Dec-10	Dec-10	Dec-3	Nov-26
APO/FPO AE ZIP 093	N/A	Dec-3	Dec-3	Dec-3	Nov-26
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098	Dec-17	Dec-10	Dec-10	Dec-3	Nov-26
APO/FPO AA ZIP 340	Dec-17	Dec-10	Dec-10	Dec-3	Nov-26
APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966	Dec-17	Dec-10	Dec-10	Dec-3	Nov-26

1 PMEMS is available to selected military /diplomatic post offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to an APO/FPO/DPO address.

2 PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. PAL is available for Standard Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface price for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.

3 SAM parcels are paid at Standard Post prices with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.

With Priority Mail supplies as the packaging of choice for families preparing care packages for service members overseas, the Postal Service created a free “Military Care Kit” based on the items most frequently requested by military families.  The kit contains two Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate Boxes, two Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Boxes, Priority Mail tape, Priority Mail address labels, and appropriate customs forms.

To order the kit, call 800-610-8734. Guidelines for packing, addressing, and shipping items to U.S. troops can be found at usps.com/ship/apo-fpo-guidelines.htm.

To order flat-rate boxes featuring the “America Supports You” logo, go to store.usps.com.

District Adds Phase II Ambassadors

Front Row seated (L to R):  Helen Iturbines, Palmetto Lakes Branch, Hialeah; Aleshia Young, Opa Locka Main Office; Qualyn Gibbs, Blue Lagoon Branch, Miami; Maribel Del Valle, Milam Dairy Branch, Miami.  Middle Row (L to R):  Lillian Castro, Program Manager, Communications Ambassador Program; Orlando De La Osa, Postmaster, Hialeah; Arnaldo Gonzalez, Bright Station, Hialeah; Rene Rivers, Kendall Branch, Miami; Lockey Anderson, Postmaster, Miami Beach. Back Row (L to R):  Bobbie Sims, Postmaster, Hallandale; Sylvia Simmons, Postmaster, Dania; Jeannette Triana, Coral Gables Branch, Miami; C. Sabrina Henry; Blue Lagoon, Miami; Rick Lupe, Opa Locka Main Office; Donna Mollicone-Perez, Coral Gables Branch, Miami; and Mitchell Perez, A/Supervisor, Consumer and Industry Contact.

By Lillian Castro, Program Manager, Communications Ambassador Program

For the South Florida District, Ambassador Phase II began with Fiscal Year 2014 with the inclusion of 15 more offices.  Joining the engagement celebration included Blue Lagoon Branch, Carl Fisher Finance Unit, Carol City Branch, Coral Gables Branch, Golden Isles Finance Unit, Hallandale Main Office, Hialeah Bright Station, Hialeah Palmetto Lakes Station, Kendall Branch, Miami Beach Main Office, Miami Springs Finance Unit, Milam Dairy Branch, Miracle Mile Finance Unit, and Opa Locka Main Office. 

Communications Ambassadors engage in effective communication through a four-step process - the Stand-Up Talk, Display Board Posting, a Personal Conversation, and Feedback.  Since the key to success in everything that we do is based on the level of effectiveness utilized to communicate, this process extends the concept to require that conveyed information is received and understood in the way it is intended.

This latest addition brings the South Florida District to a total of 45 offices onboard the Communications Ambassador Program, representing the cities of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah, Opa Locka, Carol City, Hallandale, and Miami Beach.

Abuelo Ernie Shares Spotlight with Granddaughter Lola at School

Grandpa/Abuelo Ernie (center) holding Priority Mail box in front of Lola, teacher, and classmates.  Photo:  Natalie Cintado

Ernie Cintado, Manager, Customer Service Operations, Miami, took time from his busy schedule to visit with students at Ocean Reef Academy in Bay Harbour Islands, FL.  His granddaughter, Lola, attends the school.

"The kids were super excited to learn about the Postal Service and see the vehicle that delivers their mail," Grandpa Ernie said.  "The mail truck delivered magnets and coloring books to all the kids. 

Grandpa, also known as Abuelo, promised the kids that he would return to pick up their Santa letters during the holiday season.

Jupiter SSA Gives 'Stamp of Approval'

Jupiter Sales & Service Associate Mary Ann Tucker assists customer.

Article & Photo:

LuAnn Warner

WPB Customer Relations Coordinator

Jupiter Sales and Service Associate Mary Ann Tucker learned quickly how to apply a pictorial postmark cancellation to an envelope. She was invited to participate in the Jupiter Lighthouse- Lightship pictorial cancellation ceremony on the Jupiter Inlet grounds. Holding the special order cancellation stamp and transferring the image onto a stamped envelope in just the right place is not as easy as it looks.  She practiced transferring the image onto blank sheets of paper until she felt confident enough to cancel stamps on the envelopes. 

Philatelic and postmark collectors usually prefer to have the cancellation catch the left side or lower edge of the stamp. The remainder of the postmark then appears on the envelope portion, making the postmark clearly readable. Collectors want to be able to read the name of the city and the ZIP Code in the postmark. Pressure during the application, as well as making sure that the device is properly inked and legibly applied to the cachets, can make this a complicated task. Tucker’s persistence in learning the new task, however, has generated approximately $435 in revenue of stamp and cachet sales. The special postmark cancellation is available for 30 days after an event.  As a community service, the Postal Service offers pictorial postmarks to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation. Pictorial postmarks depicting community events appear in the Postal Bulletin.

North Miami Wins SSK Contest

L to R:  SSA Taskisha Crome, Retail Supervisor Thoretha Vancol, and SSA Rubi Minter.

Article & Photo:  Mirtha Uriarte, Miami Customer Relations Coordinator

Headquarters held a Nationwide “Self Service Kiosk (SSK) Improvement” during Fiscal Year 2013 between March and August. South Florida’s North Miami Branch took the lead during August and won after competing with 22 other units in its category.  North Miami SSAs achieved an overall 10.97% overall improvement during this period.   

Retail Manager Charisse Nadal presented the North Miami Team a $150 American Express gift card on behalf of Kelly Sigmon, Vice President, Channel Access.  (Later, the team purchased breakfast and lunch for all North Miami employees.)

Miami Officer-in-Charge Enrique Suarez takes the SSK adoption rate very seriously and emphasizes the importance that all Sales and Service Associates must promote and encourage customers to utilize the kiosk.

“We must continue to educate our customers on the benefits the SSK.  Once our SSAs assist customers in familiarizing themselves with the kiosk, it will be a win-win situation,” said Suarez.  “Use of the kiosk reduces wait time in line and improves our retail effectiveness.”

Honoring Our Veterans

Riviera Beach veterans are thanked for their military service.  L to R:  Conrad Wendell, Rashid Morris, Henry Stanley, David Urrutia, Obbie Hardwick, John Mackey, Rodney Dennard, Rodney Crawford, Hector Serrano, Kevin James, Roy Grinnon, Angel Gonzales, Jonathan Finkley, Christopher Lang, Mike Sheeley, Dave Santang, and Pablo Estupinan, Manager, Customer Service.  Veterans not pictured:   Lavon Barnett, Patricia Bond, Brian Coulton, Ivy Henderson, Archie Jackson, Jose Perez, Andrew Thomas, and Nestor Velez.

Article & Photo:  LuAnn Warner, WPB Customer Relations Coordinator

West Palm Beach Station and Branch employees came together as one in a simultaneous broadcast conference call to honor their veterans for Veterans Day. Employees gathered on the workfloor in each of the offices and listened to the message given by West Palm Beach Postmaster Rich Fermo.  He thanked the veterans for their service to our country as Managers, Customer Service, distributed Letters of Appreciation to all of the employees with military service.  The Postmaster said that their dedication deserved the respect and admiration of every American, not only on Veterans Day, but throughout the year. The song, “God Bless the USA,” by Lee Greenwood, was broadcast and employees’ voices were heard city wide singing along to the patriotic song.  Individual offices also held their own celebrations to honor the military employees for their service, totaling close to 140 for the city. 

Miami CRC 'Delivers' Halloween!

Michael and Sophia

Miami customer Isidro Motola sent a large Priority Mail box addressed to his daughter in Kansas for his grandchildren on September 29.  But it seemed the package containing two Halloween costumes for his grandchildren had disappeared.  Would Halloween be a “trick” or a “treat” for the anxious children awaiting the package from Abuelo (Grandpa) who received nightly calls questioning the whereabouts of the package.

He contacted Miami Officer-In-Charge Enrique Suarez  and Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte.  Fortunately, Uriarte was able to view an image from the APPS machine to resolve the mystery of the disappearing package.  It turns out that the customer failed to include his daughter’s apartment number on the mailing label, as well as his street number on the return address. The package literally had nowhere to go. 

Halloween was approaching so time was of the essence.  Uriarte suggested to her customer that he purchase two new costumes and asked if he would be able to return the original purchase once received.  Her customer was very grateful for the idea and did just that.  Two days after second package was sent, Motola contacted Uriarte to advise he had received the original package, but the replacement was also missing, scans identified it at a city approximately 50 miles from its destination. 

With Halloween being just a couple of days away, it seemed the package would not arrive on time but luckily, the package was re-routed. With step by step communication with the cities involved --- manager, supervisor, and carrier at the Louisville, KY delivery unit --- the package was delivered two days prior to Halloween.

“The children were ecstatic; I never lost confidence the Postal Service would deliver.  At first I thought the contents of my package were not important enough to receive so much assistance, but I was wrong.  All involved demonstrated that every customer and every mail piece counts,” he said.

A Halloween Cutie!

Proud postal worker and aunt, Marita Laster, shares a cute Halloween photo of nephew Johnny Ross III.   Will young Johnny one day follow in his aunt's footsteps at the Miami ISC?  Or will he choose to be a letter carrier?

(Thanks to Calvin Fritchey for this screenshot.)

Employee Town Hall Meeting Nov 20 at City of Port St Lucie Civic Center

District Manager Jeffery A. Taylor and members of the South Florida District leadership team extend an invitation to meet them at an informal town hall meeting Wednesday, November 20th, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, at the City of Port St Lucie Civic Center, 9221 SE Civic Center Place, Ruby Room 1, Port St Lucie, FL. This off-the-clock event is a great opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, and make suggestions to the leadership:

• Jeffery A. Taylor, District Manager
• Robert Weiser, Manager, Post Office Operations
• Jann Miller, Manager, Human Resources
• Janice Atherly, A/Manager, Operations Programs Support
• Olivia Mulloy, A/Manager, Finance
• Jose R. Puig, A/Manager, Information Systems
• Debra Fetterly, Communications Programs Specialist

Additional employee town hall meetings at locations throughout the district will be scheduled during the fiscal year.

Key West Veterans Day Parade

Back Row:  Karina Bowders, Patricia Bonay, Taran Edge, Bob Killen, Susan Rineer, Caroline MacDonald, Gregory White Sr., Felix Balbuena

Front Row: Liv Bowders, Samara MacDonald,  Gregory White Jr., Mastien Diaz Fernandez

Photo Credit:  Jane Evans

Key West Post Office float

The Postal Service got some well-deserved positive publicity thanks to the participation of Florida Keys employees and their families in the annual Veterans Day parade in Key West.  Special thanks to Key West Postmaster Jane Evans for sharing photos below and ensuring that the parade announcer knew that the Postal Service is the largest employer of veterans in the country.  (Note:  Largest after the Department of Defense.)   Postmaster Evans and Key West employees participate in the parade every year and invite other Keys postal employees to  join them in these off-the-clock festivities.

Please read the Key West Citizen article, “Pride and Patriotism at the Annual Veterans Day Parade,” posted under "Media Highlights" on the Corporate Communications page of the district website.

Postal Service 'Forever' Salutes WWII Medal of Honor Recipients

On Veterans Day, the U.S. Postal Service dedicated the World War II Medal of Honor Forever stamps — paying tribute on Veterans Day and everyday going forward to the 464 American veterans who received the nation’s highest military honor for going above and beyond the call of duty during the Second World War.

The dedication took place at the National World War II Memorial where two of the eight living World War II recipients of the nation’s highest military honor joined in the dedication as part of a ceremony conducted by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial.

“Our challenge as a nation is to never forget the sacrifices all of these individuals made on our behalf,” said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in dedicating the stamps. “We hope these new Medal of Honor Forever stamps will provide everyone with one more way to preserve our veterans’ stories for future generations.”

Joining Donahoe in dedicating the stamps were World War II Medal of Honor recipients Army Master Sergeant Wilburn Ross of Dupont, WA; Army Private and retired postal employee George Sakato of Denver, CO; widow of Army Second Lieutenant/Senator Daniel Inouye, Irene Hirano Inouye of Honolulu, HI; past President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society/Marine Corps retired Colonel and Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Harvey “Barney” Barnum; Chairman, Friends of the National World War II Memorial/retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Claude Mick Kicklighter; Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley; and National Park Service National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent Robert Vogel.

Recounting his experience near heavily defended Hill 617 near Biffontaine, France in October 1944, Sakato recalled saying to himself, “What the hell? Why?” Sakato continued, “When he died, I got so mad, I cried and ran up that hill. I don’t know where I got the energy to do that.”

In his single assault, Sakato killed 12 and personally captured four enemy soldiers. His unit, inspired by his bravery, followed him to capture 34 prisoners. Sakato was recommended for the Medal of Honor but was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). Fifty five years later, in 2000, his award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

“I didn't think I did the heroics credited to me. I was just mad out of my mind when I charged up the hill. I thought I might die, but I was going to die trying.  To be part of this stamp dedication is humbling,” said Sakato. “I share this honor with all the other brave men and women who sacrificed.”

That same month, near St. Jacques, France, after his company lost all but three of its men while fighting a company of elite German mountain troops, Wilburn Ross positioned his light machine gun in front of his riflemen and began firing to absorb the enemy’s attack. He killed or wounded 58 Germans in more than five hours of continuous combat and saved the surviving remnants of his company. He remained at his post for 36 hours.

“I did what I was supposed to do without thinking,” the soft spoken Ross said. “I didn’t think much about what the medal meant to me then, but now it means a lot. I’m grateful to be associated with members of the Medal of Honor Society. They are all selfless individuals who serve as role models to the community. These stamps will help tell their story.”

West Palm Beach: 'Get Your Pink On'

Riviera Beach Station wins Honorable Mention Photo Category and winner of most employee involvement.

City Place Station – Best Photo Category for a Station – Photo Collage – Lower Left Corner, Valerie Carbone, Manager, Customer Service with daughter Chelsea

Article & Photos:  LuAnn Warner, Customer Relations Coordinator, West Palm Beach

“Get your pink on” was the common phrase used in West Palm Beach recently. EAS employees wore pink every Thursday during October to heighten awareness and show support for efforts to find a cure for breast cancer.  By the last Thursday in October, the enthusiasm spread to all employees in the branches and stations in the effort to fight for the cause. 

Joe Hawk, Manager, Customer Service, Wellington Station, shared his knowledge that even men are affected by breast cancer.  Joe’s father-in-law is a survivor of breast cancer.  Stories of survivors and stories of those who were remembered in the fight became commonplace throughout the city of West Palm Beach as employees freely spoke of the subject.  When Valerie Carbone, Manager, Customer Services, City Place Station’s daughter Chelsea asked her why she was wearing pink,  Valerie told her that it was in effort to create awareness for breast cancer. Chelsea soon was wearing the pink to her high school, where she was quizzed as to why she was wearing pink, spreading the awareness even further.

The friendly competition soon spilled over into the offices competing for Breast Cancer Research semi-postal stamp sales.  Palms West Station was the top achiever for stamp sales, increasing its sales 530% over SPLY, selling $450.45 of the stamps. Haverhill Branch increased its Breast Cancer Research semi-postal stamp sales 867.50% over SPLY, selling $425.70 of the stamps. Total stamp sales for the West Palm Beach offices were approximately $1642.85 for October.  

City Place Station won “Best Photos” for a station category, with Honorable Mention awarded to  Riviera Beach Station.  Cheryl Granville, A/Supervisor, Customer Service, Wellington Station, won Best Photo for a single photo.  

Cheryl Granville, Acting Supervisor, Customer Service, Wellington Station won Best Photo – Single Category

Palms West Branch – Top Breast Cancer Sales Winner – Employees showing support for survivors and honoring those who lost the fight.

Haverhill Station – 2^nd Place Breast Cancer Research Stamp Sales  - L to R: Suzette James, Supervisor, Customer Service; Jean Pierre Yves, Manager, Customer Service.

Safety is His Priority --- Make It Yours!

By John Booth

“Please be careful!”

“Have a safe ride!”

“Call me when you get there!”

“Be careful today at work!”

“See you tonight, be careful!”

“I love you, see you later!”

When we leave our homes each day, we hear our loved ones send us off with a gesture of their love and concern. Somewhere after we get to work, we forget what the important element of our day:  OUR SAFETY!

We confuse it with:

“How many sick calls?”

“Wonder if we make it back in eight?”

“It’s a new route, and I don't know it.”

The list is endless.

You've all said:  “How about, I'll call you when I get out?” “Oh, I can't talk now,” or “Call me back,” or “I really like my new ear piece, smart phone, ipod etc.”

As a new South Florida District Safety Team member, I am committed to making SAFETY what will bring you HOME to your loved ones every day. I have the support of NALC Branch 1690 and the Postal Service and will be diligently working on issues that concern your safety.

We, as a team, inspect offices that have a history of accidents and will identify, correct, and follow up on situations of housekeeping, OSHA violations, carrier street concerns and much more.  

I am a carrier with 28 years of service and 28 years of involvement in the NALC. YOUR SAFETY IS FIRST! The proof is in the action, WE GET RESULTS!

Get off the phones! Wear your seatbelt! Close your door! Turn off the vehicle when it’s not occupied! Stop at intersections! Rubber bands and steering wheels will get your attention! Reward yourself every day by having a SAFE DAY!