What's Your Favorite Holiday Story?

Southern Area employees are invited to contribute to the Postal Posts corporate blog, found at http://www.uspsblog.com/, during the holiday season by writing and submitting stories on the following topics:

• What’s your favorite part of being a Postal Service employee during the holidays, or your most memorable holiday experience as an employee? 
• How can customers become their letter carrier’s favorite home during the cold, busy winter months? 
• What winter-weather preparedness tips can you share with customers as a postal employee?

Each submission should be between 300-500 words and must address one or more of these topics. Stories are due Wednesday, November 26.

A signed release must be completed and included with blog post submissions. Employees can

download the release form on LiteBlue at https://liteblue.usps.gov/lite-blue/html/corp-blog/508-

user-content-release.htm. Employees are welcome to submit a personal photo, too.

All activity related to these submissions must be done off the clock on employees’ personal time.

To submit a post and release, you can:

• Email them to socialmedia@usps.gov with “Employee Blog Submission” in the subject line
• Fax them to 202-268-2175 to the attention of “USPS Social Media”
• Mail them to 475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW, RM 10501, Washington, DC 20260-0004, to the attention of “USPS Social Media”                                                                                                                   

For additional guidelines: https://liteblue.usps.gov/lite-blue/html/corpblog/emp-submissions.htm.

Miami Partners Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

L to R: Miami Postmaster Enrique M. Suarez, Miami Dade College North Campus President Malou C. Harrison, Student Government Association Governmental Relations Director Leslie Gonzalez, and Student Government Association President Stelzon Anaya at the Breast Cancer Awareness event at the North Campus.

 Seated: Miami Postal Support Employee (PSE) Paris Whitehurst. Standing: Miami Postmaster Enrique M. Suarez (left) and Marketing Manager Juan Nadal (right).

Miami Dade College North Campus President Malou C. Harrison and the Student Government Association hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness event that attracted more than 200 students, staff members, and guests.

Postal Support Employee (PSE) Paris Whitehurst sold $756 in stamps in less than one hour. 

Miami Postmaster Enrique M. Suarez presented a Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp to a standing-room-only audience. Student Government Association Governmental Relations Director and Master of Ceremony Leslie Gonzalez introduced Cheryl Mason, a breast cancer survivor who shared her experience. A performance by Show Stoppers Studio dancers concluded the program.

In addition to Suarez and Whitehurst, Communications Programs Specialist Debra Fetterly, Marketing Manager Juan Nadal, and Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte represented the district.

Show Stoppers Studio Dancer Ivanova Pabon performs.

Photos: Mirtha Uriarte, Miami Customer Relations Coordinator

Hats Off to South Miami Employees

South Miami Branch employees received recognition for achieving First Place in the Overall Retail Customer Experience category during FY14, Quarter 3. A/Manager, Customer Services Christine Perez organized a breakfast for all employees to show her appreciation. She also presented Sales Service and Distribution Clerk Judy Ferguson with a monetary award for outstanding performance.

A/Manager, Customer Services Christine Perez (left) with Sales Service and Distribution Associate Judy Ferguson (right).

Kudos for Fort Lauderdale Employees

Inverrary Branch Manager, Customer Services Dorothy Gilzene and Supervisor, Customer Services Sherman Mosely, Jr., recognized Letter Carrier Ron Williams with a $100 gift certificate for outstanding performance. Williams had perfect attendance for the past year and no preventable accidents in the past five years.

“It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge Ron,” said Mosley. “He has a great attitude, and I can always count on him.”

In addition, Mosley presented Inverrary Branch employees with recognition for not having any motor vehicle accidents in Quarter 3.  All employees were treated to doughnuts for their accomplishment.

* * *

Davie Branch employees were treated to doughnuts for their Quarter 3 accomplishments:  First Place in Motor Vehicle Accidents (improvement), No OSHA Illness & Injury claims and the highest Self Service Kiosk (SSK) Adoption Rate for Level 21 offices in the South Florida District. Supervisor, Customer Services Norbert Kappell commended all the employees for their performance and thanked them for their hard work and dedication.

West Palm Beach is in the Pink

West Palm Beach’s City Place Team shows support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Front Row: Letter Carrier Yvette Perez; Middle Row, L to R: Letter Carriers Molly Diaz, Sheila Richardson, Stephanie Jacobs, Doreen Andrews, Mayra Cajigas, Crystal Edwards, Kim Silva, Raphael Nieves, and Dawn Smith Parsons; Back Row, L to R: Letter Carrier Bob Bauereiss, Officer In Charge Andy Moir, Letter Carriers Giselle Darden, April Maschke Craig Bodie, and  Frank Rodriguez; Supervisor, Customer Services Bill Kaupelis; and Manager, Customer Services Jordan Beaubout. Photo: Gale G. Jackson

Special recognition was given to Letter Carrier Yvette Perez for her dedication to service at the City Place Station. Diaz is a breast cancer survivor for three years.

“Women should make sure they get yearly mammograms.  Because we didn’t have breast cancer in our family, I would never do it, but the day my mom and I made appointments, when we got the results, mine was positive.   I had stage 1 breast cancer.  I have had over 32 treatments and they are not pleasant, but I am so glad they caught it in time,” said Perez.

“Yvette is dedicated and a real asset to our delivery operation,” said Manager, Customer Services Jordan Beabout who honored his employees with a continental breakfast that included cheesecake.

Palm Central Station employees also were “in the pink.” First Row, L to R: Letter Carriers Tina Blount; David Chen, Dawn Richtner Coleen Havican; Second Row, L to R: Letter Carriers Sharon Lowery, Dotty Belalcazarm, and Amy Rivera; Manager, Customer Services Pablo Estupinan; Letter Carriers Kim VanCourt, Tree Crawford, Wanda Benitez, Kawana Walker, Karen Deluca, Johana Blaszkiewicz, Patricia Cantey, Carlota Sarmiento and Cornell Marriott; Third Row, L to R: Letter Carriers Cathy Partridge, Kat Thomas, Andrew Forde, Lisa Mansour, Raul Gonzalez, William Franks, Montel Cooley, Fabio Garcia, Karen Barker, and Dawn Pretty; Back Row, L to R: Dan Flanagan, Mike Metcalf, Michael Cavanagh, Domingo Cordova, Willie Thomas, Freddy Martinez, Mike Shelley, John Magill, Larry Smith, Rory O’Donald, and Brian Maxwell. Photo: Gale G. Jackson

Open Season Coming Soon!

Open Season, the annual period when employees can make changes to their health coverage or choose a new plan, begins in November. It also is the time eligible employees may elect to exchange increments of annual leave for payment.

The District Human Resources Department will be scheduling off-the-clock Employee Benefits Fairs for mid-November. Look for a Newsbreak and check your employee bulletin board for information the first week of the month.

Open Season dates:

• FEDVIP: Nov. 10 - Dec. 8, 11:59 p.m. Eastern

• FEHB: Nov. 10 - Dec. 9, 5:00 p.m. Central

• USPS NCEHB Plan: Nov. 10 - Dec. 9, 5:00 p.m. Central

• FSAs: Nov. 10 - Dec. 21, 5:00 p.m. Central

• Annual Leave Exchange: Nov. 15 - Dec. 15, 11:59 p.m. Central

Unless you experience a qualifying life event, such as a marriage or the birth of a child, this is the only time of year you can enroll or change coverage in Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance (FEDVIP), Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), USPS Non-Career Employee Health Benefits Plan (NCEHB), and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

Information will be available on the LiteBlue Open Season page, which will go live next week. This year, all benefits guides can be downloaded from LiteBlue, beginning in early November. To request paper copies of one or more guides, call the Human Resources Shared Services Center at 877-477-3273 (press option 5) or TTY 866-260-7507 after Open Season begins.

As a reminder, if you have not logged on to LiteBlue since April 28, you will need to create a new, more secure password to access the site. Previously, 4-digit Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) were required to access LiteBlue and online Human Resources self-service applications (PostalEASE, eReassign, eIDEAS, and eOPF). To create a password, go to ssp.usps.gov. Employees who conduct Human Resources transactions over the telephone may continue to use current PINs and Employee Identification Numbers (EINs).

Remember to 'Fall Back' Sun, Nov 2

Standard Time Returns this Sunday, November 2. Granted there'll be the same amount of daylight, minus the minute or two lost daily as the Northern Hemisphere tilts further from the sun heading toward the winter solstice, but Daylight Saving Time, which ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, results in less daylight at the end of the day.

The return to Standard Time means that it's time to set clocks back an hour. Remember, it's fall back,  spring forward.

Facilities with Saturday night operations should reset clocks as soon as possible after the 2 a.m. start time. Before opening for business Monday, November 3, clocks should be set back one hour to reflect the change from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time.

Health Benefits Info on LiteBlue

Open Season is the time of year for employees to make sure they have the right health, dental, vision and other insurance coverage for themselves and their families --- and also consider the money they can save on out-of-pocket medical and dependent care expenses through Flexible Spending Accounts.

The District will schedule Employee Benefits Fairs in mid-November at designated plants. All employees throughout the district may participate as an off-the-clock activity. A Newsbreak with detailed information will be distributed in coming weeks.

Employees who wish to make their benefit selections or changes online will need a new, more secure password to access LiteBlue and PostalEASE. The new password replaces the previous 4-digit PIN used for online access (the PIN remains for access to transactions completed by telephone).

The Postal Service is going green when it comes to benefits information. Paper copies of the main benefits guides will not be mailed to employees’ addresses of record as in the past.  The Guide to Federal Employee Health Benefits, the Guide to Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and the Guide to USPS Non-Career Employee Health Benefits Plan will be available online. Paper copies will be available by calling the Human Resources Shared Services Center at 877-477-3273 (press option 5) or TTY 866-260-7507.

Open Season also offers an opportunity for eligible employees to exchange increments of annual leave.

2014 Open Season

FEDVIP Dental and Vision                    Nov. 10 – Dec. 8, 11:59 p.m. Eastern

Federal Employee Health Benefits      Nov. 10 – Dec. 9, 5:00 p.m. Central

Non-Career Employee Benefits           Nov. 10 – Dec. 9, 5:00 p.m. Central

Flexible Spending Accounts                Nov. 10 – Dec. 21, 5:00 p.m. Central

Annual Leave Exchange                       Nov. 15 – Dec. 15, 11:59 p.m. Central

Get Moving: COA Services

Some customers may be paying too much for change of address services.

USPS wants customers to know they may be paying too much for change of address (COA) services at non-postal websites.

Some sites charge as much as $40 to register new addresses. Others charge nominal fees upfront before tacking on hefty charges later, according to recent news reports. 

Consumers often find the sites while searching for change of address information online. Some sites falsely claim to be affiliated with the Postal Service.

USPS has no relationships with non-postal sites that offer change of address services. COA requests made at Post Offices are available at no cost. There’s a $1.05 identity verification fee to process COA requests submitted online.

Customers who used a non-postal site to submit a change of address request and request a refund should be referred to the business that operates the site.

Supporting Breast Cancer Research

On Oct. 18, employees and retirees joined the USPS Dream Team for the Komen's Race for the Cure in Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. Postal employees and retirees walked together in support of loved ones who have survived breast cancer, as well as to remember those who are no longer with us, but who are forever in their hearts. 

Participants included Gwenn Banks, Gianna Brito, Davon Coffee, Joan Collins, Pat Coney, Phileana Evans, Dina Garza-Duran, Marguerite Goulet, Las Hall, Holly Lamberti, Rose Mannisto, Linda Marks, Donease McDonald, Donald Miller, Jann Miller, Maxx-Anne Miller, Edith Naar, Charisse Nadal, Juan Nadal, Pat Nolan, Phyllis Pierre, Dionne Robertson, Liz St. Aubin, Ann Strickland, Jennifer Thonus, and Theresa Wilson. Juan Nadal, Jr., and his sister, Ellie Rose, cheered the team to the finish line.

Early Birds at the Komen’s Race for the Cure are Front L to R: Juan Nadal, Jr.; Charisse Nadal and Ellie Rose Nadal. Standing L to R: Marguerite Goulet, Maxx-Anne Miller, Jann Miller, Holly Lamberti, Jennifer Thonus, Juan Nadal, Rose Mannisto, Liz St. Aubin, and Dina Garza-Duran.

 

Front Row L to R: Jann Miller, Pat Coney, Phyllis Pierre, Las Hall, Davon Coffee, Pat Nolan, Donease McDonald, and Theresa Wilson. Back Row L to R: Phileana Evans, Dionne Robertson, Gianna Brito, Ann Strickland, Donald Miller, Maxx-Anne Miller, Rose Mannisto, Marguerite Goulet, Holly Lamberti, Liz St. Aubin, Charisse Nadal, and Gwenn Banks. 

L to R: Edith Naar, Jennifer Thonus, Linda Marks, Phileana Evans, and Pat Coney decorated pink bras to show their support at the race.

L to R: Joan Collins, Rose Mannisto, Marguerite Goulet, and Jann Miller strike a pose before the race.

 Photos: Pat Coney and Jennifer Thonus

Freebies to Thank Our Veterans

The Veterans Day Free Meals 2014 list you'll find below includes all the popular restaurants and other retailers that are giving away free meals and other discounts to veterans on Veterans Day (Tuesday, November 11, 2014). Please read through the Veterans Day Free Meals FAQ for important information you need to know before getting your free meal, like military qualifications, restaurant participation details, and lots more.

Stop into a participating Applebee's on Tuesday, November 11, to get your Veterans day free meal. You'll be able to choose a meal from a limited Veterans Day menu that includes steak, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, salad, pasta, chicken, and shrimp. You can see the complete menu by using the link above. This deal is dine-in only and beverages and gratuity are not included. You'll need to bring in one proof of military service such as a U.S. Uniform Service ID card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired ID card, current Leave and Earnings statement, photograph in uniform, be wearing your uniform, a veterans organization card such as American Legion or VFW, or a DD214. Find an Applebee's near you and call ahead to find out if they are participating in the Veterans Day free meal.

California Pizza Kitchen is having a Veterans Day free meal as well and both veterans and those in active military duty can take advantage. Stop by your local California Pizza Kitchen on Tuesday, November 11, to choose a pizza, full size salad, or pasta from the special Veterans Day Menu when you dine-in. You'll need come in uniform or bring your military ID or another proof of service.

Bob Evans Restaurants invite veterans and active military personnel to stop into a Bob Evans location and receive free all you can eat hotcakes on Tuesday, November 11. You'll need to bring proof of military service to get your Veterans Day free meal.

Carrabba’s invites veterans or active military members to stop by a Carrabba's near you and get a free appetizer of your choice on Tuesday, November 11. There's no purchase necessary or coupon required, and you'll need to bring military ID or come in your uniform.

Visit a participating Chili's on Tuesday, November 11, to get your Veterans Day free meal if you are a veteran or on active military duty. You'll need to show proof of military service to get your Veterans Day free meal. Find a Chili's near you so you can stop in and get your free meal.

Einstein Bros Bagels invites veterans to stop by their local Einstein Bros Bagels on Tuesday, November 11, and get a free coffee. No purchase is required to get the free coffee, but you do need to show military ID.

On Monday, November 17, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Golden Corral will be giving out Veterans Day free meals and a beverage to any person who has ever served in the U.S. military or is on current active duty. This includes retirees, veterans, National Guard or Reserves. All Golden Corral locations will be participating and no identification is required to get your free dinner buffet and beverage. Over the last 13 years, Golden Corral served over 4.1 million veterans a Veterans Day free meal!

Hurricane Grill & Wings invites veterans and active duty military personnel to enjoy a Veterans Day free meal at a participating Hurricane Grill & Wings on Tuesday, November 11. Items available on the menu include Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, 10 Wings, Fish & Chips, Chicken Sandwich (Crispy or Grilled), Burger Sliders, Pulled Pork Quesadilla, and a non-alcoholic beverage.

Veterans can start their Veterans Day off with a free breakfast at Krispy Kreme that includes a doughnut and a small coffee. No purchase is necessary. Find a Krispy Kreme near you to take advantage of this Veterans Day freebie, but be sure to call to see if yours is participating.

Longhorn Steakhouse is giving away free Texas Tonions and non-alcoholic beverages to veterans who stop into their local Longhorn Steakhouse on Tuesday, November 11. You'll need to bring proof of service with you for this freebie such as wearing your uniform or showing Military ID.

Menchie's will be giving out free 6 oz. cups of frozen yogurt to veterans and active duty military all day on Veterans Day. You'll need to show military ID or dress in uniform to receive this Veterans Day freebie. Find out where a Menchie's is near you to take advantage of this offer.

Stop into any Outback Steakhouse on November 11, to get a free Bloomin' Onion and beverage. This offer is for veterans as well as active duty and retired military as long as a uniform is worn or a military ID is shown. Outback Steakhouse is also giving out a military discount of 15% off the total check November 12 to December 31, 2014. Find an Outback Steakhouse near you to get your Veterans Day free meal.

Red Lobster invites active duty military, reserve, and military veterans can stop by Red Lobster and get a free appetizer Monday, November 10 through Thursday, November 13. They get to choose from Sweet Chili Shrimp, Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp, Lobster-Artichoke-and-Seafood Dip, Lobster-Crab-and-Seafood-Stuffed Mushrooms, Lobster Pizza, Chilled Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Crispy Calamari and Vegetables, Mozzarella Cheesesticks, White-Wine-and-Roasted-Garlic-Mussels, and Shrimp Nachos.

Participating Shoney's will be having a Veterans Day free meal in 2014 that consists of a free All-American Burger. This is for veterans as well as active duty military while supplies last. Proof of military service is required and it's for dine-in only. Find a Shoney's near you.

Participating Sizzlers will be serving veterans and active military members a Veterans Day free meal until 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11. You'll get to choose from a 6 oz. Steak, single Malibu Chicken, or half dozen Fried Shrimp entree with a choice of a side dish. Individuals will also receive a free coffee, tea, or fountain drink. Bring proof of service such as your U.S. military-issue or veterans group ID card, a photograph of yourself in uniform, or wear your uniform to your local Sizzlers.

Starbucks will be giving out free tall brewed coffees to veterans, active duty military, and their spouses on Veterans Day. Call ahead to make sure your local Starbucks is participating.

There are lots of other freebies besides free food that veterans can get this Veterans Day.

·         Free Haircuts at Great Clips - Veterans and active/inactive/retired military members can stop into Great Clips on Tuesday, November 11, and get a free haircut or pickup a free haircut card to use before the end of the year. Anyone can stop in to get their haircut and receive a free haircut card that they can give to a veteran.

·         Free Haircuts at Sports Clips - Veterans and active duty U.S. service members can stop in on Tuesday, November 11, to get a free haircut.

·         Free Entrance Into National Parks - This freebie is in honor of Veterans Day but everyone can take part in it. Over 100 national parks will waive admission fees on November 11, 2014 in honor of Veterans Day.

Here are some additional Veterans Day discounts:

Home Depot 10% Veterans Day Discount - Home Depot is branching their military discount out to include all veterans for Veterans Day. Veterans can save 10% off any purchase.

Dollar General 11% Veterans Day Discount - Veterans, active military members, and their families will get 11% off their in-store or online purchase at Dollar General on Veterans Day.

JCPenney 20% Discount - JCPenney will give anyone with a military ID or proof of service 20% off their purchases November 3-15, in-store only.

Lowe's 10% Military Discount - Lowe's has a 10% military discount for current, retired, and VA members. This also applies to immediate family.

Discounts for Florida attractions include:

Busch Gardens Veterans Discount – Tampa, FL
Veterans get 50% off tickets now through November 11, 2014 and must be used by December 21, 2014. Active Duty military members who already used their free admission for the year can also get 50% off tickets.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort Free Admission Days – Winter Haven, FL
LEGOLAND Florida Resort offers free admission to military veterans leading up to Thanksgiving. From November 1-23, veterans will receive free admission to LEGOLAND Florida, along with 50 percent off tickets for up to six accompanying guests.

Lowry Park Zoo – Tampa, FL
Active-duty and veterans are entitled to free zoo admission on Tuesday, November 11, 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Naples Zoo – Naples, FL
November 8-11: Veterans Day Weekend free admission to all active and prior service military personnel. Military service members receive free admission at the zoo’s ticket box by presenting military identification or a veteran’s organization member card and matching name photo ID. Plus, the service member’s spouse and children in the party receive $2 off regular zoo admission during the weekend.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment  – Orlando, FL

Veterans get 50% off tickets now through November 11, 2014 and must be used by December 21, 2014. Active duty military members who already used their free admission for the year can also get 50% off tickets.

Miami Cel-e-brates Good Times!

The South Miami Branch celebrated its Quarter 3 accomplishments, including First Place in Retail Customer Experience. 

A/Manager, Customer Services Christine Perez also presented Retail Associate Judy Ferguson with a $250 Spot Award and Letter Carrier Gloria Bitar with her 25-year  Service Award and Service Pin. In honor of their accomplishments, all employees at South Miami Branch were treated to a breakfast.

* * *

Country Lakes Branch, Supervisor, Customer Services Yasser Martinez, presented Letter Carrier Burt Mendez and Retail Associate Martin Matarran with their 25-year Service Awards and Service Pins. A/Manager, Customer Service Operations Manny Molina presented Letter Carrier Emilio Iglesias a $250 Spot Award. 

“Emilio has a very positive attitude towards his position and is a true team player,” said A/Manager, Customer Services Vicente Perez-Melendez. All employees were treated to breakfast for having no OSHA violations in Quarter 3.

Borger Praises Lauderridge Team

Lauderridge Carrier Annex employees celebrated their achievements. Manager, Customer Services Raymond F. Borger recognized Letter Carriers Dwight Johnson and Armando Russo with a $100 Spot Award. 

“Both Dwight and Armando have outstanding attendance and safety records and are exceptional employees,” said Borger.  

All employees were treated to doughnuts for their unit’s Quarter 3 accomplishments:  First Place in Motor Vehicle Accidents. Borger commended all the employees for their performance and thanked them for their hard work and dedication.

Silver Bells ... Silver Bells ...

For many of us, holiday decorations aren’t complete without the addition of a festive wreath hanging on the door, in a window, or over the mantel. Now, with the new Silver Bells Wreath stamp, you can add envelopes to that list! 

In 2014, the U.S. Postal Service will celebrate the winter holidays internationally with Global Holiday: Silver Bells Wreath. This is the second stamp issued in the Global Holiday series.

Issued at the $1.15 price, this Global Forever stamp can be used to mail a one-ounce letter to any country to which First-Class Mail International service is available. As with all Global Forever stamps, this stamp will have a postage value equivalent to the price of a single-piece First-Class Mail International first ounce machinable letter in effect at the time of use. To distinguish this stamp from other Forever stamps, the shape of the international stamp is round and bears the words “Global Forever.”

The Silver Bells Wreath Global Forever® stamp will be released on October 23.

West Palm Beach Does It Better

West Palm Beach Postmaster Richard Fermo recognized his team with Special Achievement Awards at a luncheon in their honor.  Fermo thanked employees for their outstanding performance in the categories below.

Best 1700 Performance: City Place Station

Best OSHA II Performance: Wellington Carrier Annex

Best WTIL Performance: Haverhill Branch, Lake Park Station, and West Palm Beach Downtown Station

Best Workhour Performance: Palms West Branch 

Best Workhour Performance: City Place Station

Best Overtime Performance: Haverhill Branch 

Best Overtime Performance: City Place Station

Best Street Base Hour Performance: Riviera Beach Branch 

Best % to STD Performance: Haverhill Branch  

Best Overall Scanning Performance: City Place Station

Best Express Scan Rate Performance: City Place Station

Best Parcel Select Rate Performance: Haverhill Branch  

Best DOIS Street Variance Performance: Palm Beach Gardens Branch    

Fort Pierce Employee Recognition

Fort Pierce, FL, Officer In Charge Joel Ouellette presented Lead Sales and Services Associate John C. Collins, Jr. with his 40-year Service Award and Service Pin. Ouellette also presented Sales and Services Associate/Distribution Clerk Anthony Lloyd with his 35-year Service Award and Service Pin and Letter Carrier Paul Mondo with his 30-year Service Award and Service Pin.

Ouellette also recognized Custodian Yvonne Hunt for her outstanding on Safety’s Program Evaluation Guide (PEG) Program and Business Mail Entry Unit Clerk Pamela Blandford for maintaining 100% scores in SOX compliance audits throughout the fiscal year. Each employee received a gift certificate.

BCR Stamp Tops $79 Million in Sales

The Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp, originally issued in 1998, is being reissued in 2014.

Mandated by Congress in 1997 and signed into law by President Bill Clinton, the 1998 Breast Cancer Research stamp was the first semipostal issued by the U.S. Postal 
Service.

Semipostals are stamps sold at a surcharge to raise money for a particular cause. Net proceeds from the surcharge for the Breast Cancer Research stamp are donated to the National Institutes of Health and the Medical Research Program of the Department of Defense. 

To date, the stamp has raised more than $79 million for breast cancer research.

Rudolph to Light Up Holiday Stamp

On December 6, 1964, viewers saw something brand new, an animated TV special called Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Produced by Rankin/Bass Productions using a pioneering stop-motion animation technique called “Animagic,” the special featured the voice of Burl Ives as Sam, a singing snowman, who narrates the tale of a misfit reindeer who eventually finds his own special way to shine.

This year Rudolph and his friends will bring their own brand of joy and nostalgia to four new Forever stamps featuring still frames from the special. Rudolph will take center stage on a stamp of his own. Characters from the beloved TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer star in a new set of four holiday stamps. The artwork features still frames from the animated holiday show, which premiered in 1964.

Holy Stamp Collection! It's Batman!

The U.S. Postal Service, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment, is proud to announce that Batman, one of DC Comics’ most beloved characters, will be immortalized with a set of new limited-edition Forever® stamps to be issued in “Gotham City.

In honor of Batman’s 75th anniversary as the protector of Gotham City, he will join the elite ranks of American pop culture icons that have been given this honor. The stamp collection will feature multiple images of the Caped Crusader from artistically distinct periods across his comic book history, exhibiting the evolution of the Dark Knight over the past seven and a half decades.

The Batman stamp sheet will be available on Thursday, October 9.

Chef Allen Hosts Stamp Dedication

On October 1, South Florida’s very own celebrity --- Chef Allen (Susser), Julia Child’s friend and colleague --- prepared some of her legendary desserts at a Celebrity Chefs stamp dedication at Books and Books in Coral Gables. The dedication and dessert-tasting event took place in terrace where Miami GMF Postal Support Employee (PSE) Paris Whitehurst sold Celebrity Chefs stamp sheets. 

L to R: Chef Allen (Susser) and Miami Postmaster Enrique M. Suarez at the Celebrity Chefs stamp dedication and dessert-tasting event.

 

L to R:  Chef Allen, Miami GMF Postal Support Employee (PSE) Paris Whitehurst, and Miami Postmaster Rick Suarez pose with the Celebrity Chefs stamp enlargement at Books and Books in Coral Gables, FL.

L to R: Miami Postmaster Rick Suarez listens to Chef Allen’s recollection of Julia Child who was the chef's friend and colleague.

A/Plant Manager, West Palm Beach Scott Bower (standing left) and Marketing Manager Juan Nadal (seated left in front of Scott) joined the festivities. Postal employee Lori Lazar (seated in red polka dot shirt, and her mother, Gloria, in the red shirt, also enjoyed the event.

 

Chef Allen treated participants to delicious desserts from Julia Child's recipes.

Photos:  Debra J. Fetterly

New Team is Taking Care of Business

Business Development Specialist Ellen Uptgrow coordinated the Business Connect 7 (as in 7 days a week) kick off event at the South Florida District Office. 

The Monopoly theme "engaged" the Business Connect 7 Team. 

Several Postmasters and Managers, Customer Services were invited to play Monopoly at the district office.

Participants immediately recognized the larger-than-life Mr. Monopoly character propped up in the front  of the room. And the game board with its 28 properties, Chance and Community spaces, and “Go to Jail” square looked very familiar. But the properties were different, and the battleship, boot, iron, racecar, thimble, and Scottie dog had been replaced with South Florida icons --- a dolphin, flamingo, gator, ibis, manatee, marlin, and panther.

The popular board game has changed ownership and has been upgraded over the years. Is this yet another edition?

No. It’s all about Business Connect Seven Days a Week. And revenue generation is no game, but is serious business. Sure, players still move around the game board, but they’re no longer buying or trading properties, developing their properties with houses and hotels, and collecting rent from their opponents, with the goal being to drive them into bankruptcy. The South Florida District edition has BC7 team players “rolling for revenue” and competing for sales in the small business market. The game board will encourage activities that result in the sale of Every Door Direct Mail and Priority Mail products.

The Monopoly game was used to train a select group of Postmasters and Managers, Customer Services to serve as Business Connect Coordinators in their areas of responsibility. Their goal is to lead and assist peers in promoting products and services in the business community.

During the training, District Manager Jeffery Taylor gave a motivational talk on employee engagement and Senior Sales Executive (Shipping) Sharon Squadrito gave a presentation on products and services. Marketing Manager Juan Nadal distributed Monopoly dollars to participants who were engaged in answering questions.

As District BC7 Training Coordinator, Business Development Specialist Ellen Uptgrow decorated the room with Monopoly props created by Illustrator Barry Artiz.

BC7 Coordinators include Lockey Anderson, Postmaster, Miami Beach Post Office; Jordan Beabout, A/Manager, Customer Services, City Place Station; Rosalyn Bell-Mosley, A/Manager, Customer Services, Flagler Station; Raymond Borger, Manager, Customer Services, Fort Lauderdale Main Office Carrier Annex; Gwendolyn Branch, Manager, Customer Services, Miramar Branch; Jeannette Burgos, Manager, Customer Services, Doral Branch; Orlando de la Osa, Postmaster, Hialeah Post Office; Manuel Ferrer, Postmaster, Opa Locka Post Office; Dawn Hutson, Officer In Charge, Stuart Post Office; Armando Marsal, Manager, Customer Services, Father Felix Varela Branch; Andrew Moir, Manager, Customer Services, Palms West Branch; Louis Mongilia, A/Manager, Customer Services, Pompano Post Office;  Lori Moore-Spann, Manager, Customer Services, Little River Station; Joel Ouellette, Officer In Charge, Fort Pierce Post Office; Thomas Petrush, Manager, Customer Services, Alridge Station; Floyd Pierce, Manager, Customer Services, Greenacres Branch; Virginia Rhodes, Manager, Customer Services, Plantation Branch; Carlos Rodon, Postmaster, Boca Raton Post Office; Edith Roundtree, Postmaster, Loxahatchee Post Office; Eduardo Suarez, Postmaster, Tavernier Post Office; Orencio (Larry) Suarez, Manager, Customer Services, Kendall Carrier Annex; Leo Tudela, Manager, Customer Services, North Miami Branch; Gilberto (Gil) Vega, Manager, Customer Services, Jog Road Station; Ricardo (Rick) Veiga, Manager, Customer Services, Coral Springs Branch; and Christine Williams, Manager, Customer Services, Hollywood Post Office.

Additional participants included Fort Lauderdale Officer In Charge Sarah Augustine; Pompano Postmaster Edwin Coppola; West Palm Beach Postmaster Richie Fermo; Hollywood Postmaster David Guiney; West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Gale Jackson; A/Manager, Post Office Operations Phyllis Reed; Miami Postmaster Enrique Suarez; Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte; and Manager, Post Office Operations Robert Weiser.

District Manager Jeffery Taylor addresses Business Connect 7 team members.

Marketing Manager Juan Nadal engages the team in growing small business revenue.

District Manager Jeffery Taylor applauds the team's commitment to capturing new revenue and securing the future of the Postal Service. 

Senior Shipping Sales Executive Sharon Squadrito engages employees with her presentation.

Engaged employees ...

 
... wave bills representing new revenue coming into the district in the coming year.

Photos:  Debra J. Fetterly