Every month, the Hillview Baptist Church Primetimers (an over-50 group) go on an outing together. They've been to museums, shows, and festivals.
This month, a mystery trip was planned: the group's coordinator Carolyn Harris (who also happens to be Postmaster Regina Deroy's mom) kept their destination a secret. All they knew was what time to meet the bus and that they could only wear certain types of shoes. Each person was given a sheet of paper upon which was illustrated what types of shoes were acceptable and what types to avoid, and the rule was this: if one person forgot to wear proper footwear, nobody was going to be allowed to go.
So on Wednesday, with safe shoes afoot, where did they all wind up?
Downtown, at the Birmingham Main Post Office.
Customer Affairs & Claims Manager Viola Freeman began the tour by speaking to them about what steps they can take to avoid becoming victims of identity theft and fraud. Since seniors are one of the prime targets of this kind of crime, it's important that people are informed about what they can do to protect themselves.
Then, they were escorted onto the workroom floor for a look at mail processing.
Their guide for this part of the tour was Automations Operations Specialist Kevin Bray, who showed them what happens to a letter once it reaches the plant. He was a big hit with the group: after the tour, when asked what was their favorite part, one member replied, "The tour guide."
Several of the group's members expressed surprise at the factory-like atmosphere.
Each person addressed a letter and put it in the mail stream, so that they could witness the automation process from beginning to end.
The last part of a tour was a trip upstairs for a look at what is usually called The Postal Museum. The second floor of the facility is used primarily as administrative offices. In the halls are cases filled with mementoes of Alabama's Postal past.
Postal employee Kay Hayes (second from the right) enjoyed showing the group historical items which are very rarely seen by members of the public.
In the end, everyone said that the surprise had been a good one and that they had thoroughly enjoyed going behind the scenes at the Post Office, and we certainly enjoyed showing them around!
