A/DM Steve Hardin Sends Thanksgiving Greetings

Family gatherings, turkey with all the trimmings, football games, and the Macy’s parade are Thanksgiving traditions. It’s also that time of year when we pause and reflect on our lives --- and give thanks.

I am thankful for the opportunity to lead the South Florida District Postal Family. Since my arrival as your acting District Manager a few months ago, I’ve learned that South Florida employees truly understand the meaning of providing outstanding service to our internal and external customers. I am impressed with your passion for our business --- particularly noted in your dedication and commitment to each other and to our customers during hurricane recovery --- and your desire for our organization to succeed.

No doubt this year has been a very challenging one. We continue to respond to trends in America’s use of the mail and introduce new features, such as Informed Delivery and Irresistible Mail, to ensure the relevancy of mail in the future. At the same time, our business model helps us maintain our focus on cost-cutting measures and revenue-generating opportunities.

As we approach Thanksgiving, I ask that you join me and take a moment to reflect upon the comfortable life that our paychecks provide. While we often may not think about the benefits that we earn every pay period, our employee benefits package includes a federal retirement plan, Thrift Savings Plan, Flexible Spending Account, leave accrual programs, and pre-tax health insurance premiums. I’m grateful for these benefits and show my appreciation by being regular in attendance and by giving an honest day’s work for a fair day’s pay.

Just like the Thanksgiving holiday, the Postal Service has established a tradition of providing trusted, affordable, universal service to its customers --- and has been doing so for the past 236 years. Working together as a team --- a postal family --- I’m confident that we will continue to do our part to ensure our future as an essential part of the fabric of this nation.

May you and your family enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving!