35 Years and Counting in Miami

Miami Milam Dairy Annex Manager, Customer Services Nadine Harris (not pictured) recognized Mail Processing Clerk Lilia Garcia (above) with her 35-year Service Award and Pin. Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte

'Making Your Mark' in May

May is “Older Americans Month.”

The 2020 theme is “Make Your Mark.” This theme was selected to encourage and celebrate countless contributions that older adults make to our communities. Their time, experience, and talents benefit family, peers, and neighbors every day. Communities, organizations, and individuals of all ages are also making their marks. 

This year’s theme highlights the difference everyone can make – in the lives of older adults, in support of caregivers, and to strengthen communities.

When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty, and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing. A meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens led to designating May as "Senior Citizens Month," the prelude to "Older Americans Month."

Historically, Older Americans Month has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, in particular those who defended our country. Every President since Kennedy has issued a formal proclamation asking that, in some way,  the nation pay tribute to older persons in their communities. 

Thanking Fort Lauderdale Employees

A customer’s larger-than-life balloon arrangement featuring a golden arch with butterflies greets and thanks employees at the Melrose Vista Station in Fort Lauderdale.

Photo: Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator Edwin Vivas

Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is being celebrated in May. The annual observation recognizes the contributions of the nation’s 20 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

About 49,400 Postal Service employees — approximately 7.8 percent of the postal workforce — identify as being Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.

Congress designated May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in 1992. The observance marks the May 1843 arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States, and the May 1869 completion of the transcontinental railroad. Most of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

Earlier this year, the Postal Service released its Year of the Rat stamp. The rat is the first of the 12 zodiac animal signs associated with the Chinese lunar calendar. The Year of the Rat began January 25, 2020 and ends February 11, 2021.

Recognizing and Thanking Veterans During Military Appreciation Month

One side of the USPS military challenge-style coin features an American flag design stamped with the words “Proud Veteran.”

To mark Military Appreciation Month in May, the Postal Service is distributing tokens of appreciation to employees who are veterans.

“There are approximately 100,000 former and current service members working for the Postal Service, and we are proud to honor their contributions to our nation in the armed services and their continued service to our customers,” said Chief Human Resources Officer Isaac Cronkhite.

All military veterans will receive a certificate of appreciation for their service and a letter of thanks from Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan.

Employees marking five years of service with the Postal Service in 2020 will also receive a #PostalProud challenge coin.

The coin is double-sided and shaped like a military dog tag. One side displays the Postal Service logo and a message thanking the employee for his or her service. The other side features an American flag design stamped with the words “Proud Veteran.”

Due to social distancing rules, items will be mailed directly to eligible employees throughout May instead of presented at ceremonies.

Source: Link

'What Safety Means to Me!'

CFC Reopens Due to COVID-19

Federal workers, including postal employees, can use the Combined Federal Campaign’s online giving portal to make donations through June 30.

The Combined Federal Campaign has reopened so federal employees can contribute to charities during the coronavirus pandemic.

Donations can be made from April 20 through June 30.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which runs the campaign, also known as the CFC, is offering the special solicitation period to support charities as they face unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19.

Employees may use the online donation portal, https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/welcome,
or the new CFC Giving mobile app, available for Apple and Android devices, to make a charitable donation to more than 6,000 CFC member charities.

Employees can make a one-time or recurring pledge. However, they cannot change payroll deductions made during the previous campaign cycle, which ended January 12 for the 2019-20 cycle.

Source: Link