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Older Americans Month

Do more for the 1 in 4

Do more for the 1 in 4 is the call to action for the month of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. The platform was developed by Mental Health America, a leading non-profit agency dedicated to promoting mental health.

Why that phrase? Because it is estimated that 1 in 4 Americans suffer from a diagnosable, treatable mental health condition.

Alabama District EAP Consultant Dr. Patricia Hamilton (pictured below on the left with Diversity Member Paula Williamson) wants everyone to be aware of and feel free to use the many services that are available to support the mental health ad well-being of employees and their loved ones through The Employee Assistance Program.

At a recent EAP information session that was conducted in Birmingham, Dr. Hamilton discussed the stigma that unfortunately prevents some people from reaching out for the help that they need.

She wants to ease employees' unnecessary fear or embarrassment. "Your use of this service is completely confidential. Even if your spouse or partner calls to ask if you showed up, I can't answer that question," Hamilton said.

She added that the location of her office in Birmingham is in a seeming industrial area where nobody you know will see you come or go.

Additionally, for Mental Health Month, Dr. Hamilton was kind enough to submit the following information about bullying:

WORKPLACE BULLYING

Though we often think of school-aged children when we hear the word “bullying”, it can also occur between adults through workplace bullying. This can include verbal abuse; offensive conduct or behaviors (including nonverbal) which are threatening,  humiliating, or intimidating; and work interference — sabotage — which prevents work from getting done. 


Workplace bullying creates a hostile environment that is unproductive, and in some instances 
may even be illegal. Many of the same principles for dealing with a bully as a youth – such as reporting bullying to a higher authority or simply walking away and refusing to engage with a bully – can be used to handle an adult bully in the workplace.

CREATING A BULLY-FREE ENVIRONMENT 

If you’ve never been bullied or witnessed bullying, understanding what to do in the event it does occur is still important. There are ways everyone can help to prevent bullying. A number of organizations have information and resources to help you create a bully free environment in your school, workplace or community. Steps you can take include:


1. Helping your school or work community to create a pledge promising that bullying in any form is unacceptable.


2. Encouraging members of your community to call out bullying when they see it – sometimes bullies don’t realize they are bullying.


3. Designating an adult or leader as a person to go to for confidential help when someone is the victim of bullying.


4. Outlining expectations for respect and acceptance of others in your community.

5. If you’re a parent, talk to your children about bullying, try to model appropriate interpersonal behavior, explain that your home is a bully-free environment and set expectations for the kinds of behaviors that are and are not acceptable inside or outside of the home.


6. Remember that the Internet should also be a bully-free environment; don’t post things on the web or in social networks that you wouldn’t say directly to someone, and don’t “jump on the bandwagon” by sharing a bully’s comments for others to see; messages posted online are very difficult to “take back” and can spread to others in unexpected ways.

Back to School in Birmingham

Evelyn Jones (pictured above) is a counselor for not one but two Birmingham City schools, Gibson Elementary and North Birmingham Elementary. Seeing the strong need for students to be able to envision lots of different possibilities for their futures, Jones coordinated Career Days for both locations.

"I think that it needs to start here. I want to help open the door for students so that they can have an idea," said Jones.

Both times, The United States Postal Service was honored to be included among the invited guests.

Some of the other professions and organizations that attended were the Humane Society, The Boy Scouts, the Boys and Girls Club, The Civil Rights Museum, firefighters, police officers, UAB Forensics professors, ACIPCO, Blue Cross, and more.

Gibson Elementary

At both schools, students of all ages took turns by grade level making their way around the room to visit the organizations' tables. 

They carried bags to collect what each table had to offer along with a long list of questions to ask. Do you like your boss? Do you need a college degree? Do you have a company car? are just some of them. 

At Gibson Elementary, Birmingham Postmaster Mike Allison answered their many inquiries. 

The pictures from Gibson Elementary were submitted by Sandy Scott. 

North Birmingham Elementary

Right inside the front door of North Birmingham Elementary, it was obvious that the school was Postal friendly. 

North Birmingham Manager Aquanett Fowler fielding questions.

Counselor Evelyn Jones (left) and Principal Tavis Sloan (center) enjoy watching Fowler (right) distribute coloring books and crayons to the young scholars. 

Countdown to Stamp Out Hunger Saturday

There are only five days left until the 20th Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Saturday, so start gathering your non-perishable donations.

Last year, 70.2 million pounds of food was collected to help feed the hungry.With 16% of the population and 1 in 5 children struggling with hunger issues, this year's drive is more relevant than ever.

Let's see if we here in Alabama can do our part to make this 20th anniversary a very special year by setting an all-time record!

Here's a list of some of non-perishable items that the food banks need from you:

• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Dry cereals
• Sugar and flour
• Pasta
• Canned and dried beans: black, pinto, lentils
• Peanut butter
• Canned or boxed meals: soup, chili, macaroni and cheese
• Canned meats: tuna, chicken, salmon
• Canned, bottled, or boxed juice, Gatorade, water
• Pudding and fruit cups
• Baby food, formula, baby wipes
• Canned pet food

Check labels and containers prior to donation because nothing expired or made of glass can be accepted. 

Please hang the bags on or outside the mailbox rather than inside. 

You can also contribute by helping us get the word out. So many times, we've heard people say, "Oh, I forgot about that," or, "I didn't know it was THAT Saturday." All this week, we encourage everyone to post reminders on Facebook, Tweet it, tell everyone you see, make phone calls, anything that you can do to urge folks to fill up those bags and place them outside in time for their letter carrier on Saturday. 

Kindness commended in Cahaba Heights

If you work in a customer service position, you interact with so many people each day that you might not realize the impact that you can have on someone else during a brief encounter.

Cahaba SSA Mary Collins went out of her way to assist a grieving customer. She didn't think that she was doing anything significant, but the customer did.

Pictures and summary submitted by Sandy Scott:

These pictures from an impromptu employee appreciation last Thursday.  The Cahaba Heights station manager, Queen Johnson, called and said the Mary Collins had assisted a customer whose husband had passed away.  

 The customer came back later and did not even remember the transaction because she was in such a state of grief.  She looked on her receipt and saw that Clerk 19 took care of it at the retail window.  She wanted to thank the clerk for taking care of her.  

Birmingham Postmaster Mike Allison presented Mary with a certificate and a small token of his appreciation for excellent customer service.    

Queen Johnson, Mike Allison, Mary Collins, and John Richardson

Birmingham bio-hazard drill: "You'll do what you practice."

In a post-9/11 world, encountering dangerous substances while working with the mail stream remains a definite possibility for all employees. 

As a part of the Alabama District's ongoing commitment to emergency preparedness,  employees at the Birmingham Plant and local rescue personnel participated in a simulated bio-hazard situation.  

"An old baseball coach once told me, 'Practice what you do, and you'll do what you practice,'" said District Safety Manager Roy Campbell, who in the picture below points employees to the appointed meet-up site. 

Employees evacuated the plant and walked to a centralized location that was several yards away from the main building. "Our procedure is to vacate the building, to account and care for our employees, and to deal with the situation," said Campbell.

"Our primary goal is to care for the safety and health of our people."

Birmingham Plant employees listen to instructions at the main gathering point.

Then, the men and women were separated. In these smaller groups, employees had the opportunity to ask questions.

Translation was arranged for hearing-impaired staff. 

Then, everyone lined up to go through the decontamination tent. Once inside, emergency personnel explained what would happen there if this situation had been far more serious than a drill. 

Campbell explained that the hour spent completing this drill was not just for postal employees but was also invaluable to the first responders. "This gave them a chance to integrate their procedures with ours so that we could work together in a cohesive fashion," he said.

100% in Sylacauga

The sales staff at the Sylacauga Post Office is the most recent crew to join the Alabama District's 100% Retail Customer Experience Club.

Pictured from left to right are SSA Sandi Tinney, SSA Christina Hobbs, Postmaster Rick Renda, SSA Gena Corbitt, and SSA Bethaney Roland.

Postmaster Rick Renda is proud of his group's achievements. "They have been working hard to follow  the District SOP (standard operating procedure) and have been reducing wait time in line and encouraging expedited and special services. The clerk staff has had a positive impact in our new EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) with approximately $30,000 in yearly sales. I also want to congratulate Ms Tinney for exhibiting this enthusiasm in her perfect transaction," he wrote.

National Crime Victims' Rights Week

Today concludes National Crime Victims' Rights Week, but if you are victim of a crime that involves the use of the United States Postal Service, Postal Inspector Tony Robinson wants you to know what you can expect from the USPS every day of the year.

From Inspector Robinson:
Compiled and massaged from USPIS brochures.

Victim/Witness Tips

As an agency of federal law enforcement professionals, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is concerned about problems that may be experienced by victims and witnesses of crime. We know that as a victim or witness, you may feel anger, confusion, frustration, or fear as a result of your experience.


If a suspect is identified and presented for prosecution, you will be informed of the status of the case. Throughout a USPIS investigation, a Postal Inspector or Victim/Witness Coordinator will remain your primary contact. Other law enforcement agencies have their own version of a Victim/Witness coordinator to assist you on crimes under their jurisdiction.  If you have questions, be sure to contact one of these individuals as soon as possible.


If your case is accepted for prosecution, you will be contacted by the attorney’s office assigned to handle your case. Most prosecutors’ offices have a Victim/Witness Coordinator to help answer your questions and assist with your concerns during the pretrial and court phases of the case.


If anyone threatens you, or you feel you are being harassed because of your cooperation with authorities, report it to law enforcement. There are penalties for harassment and other credible threats.  If you were injured or threatened with physical injury as a result of the crime, and lack insurance or other means to pay for medical bills, check your state’s crime victim compensation program. In many states, the cost of counseling, lost wages, and certain funeral expenses may be covered.  The Employee Assistance Program, EAP, is also there to help employees and their families.


As part of its investigation, the Postal Inspection Service hopes to recover any property or money stolen from you. This is one reason why it is important to keep a record of serial numbers or other uniquely identifiable attributes of your property to provide to law enforcement when needed.  If Postal Inspectors recover it, we will notify you and make every effort to have it returned as quickly as possible.


Restitution may be available for property not recovered or for the cost of any necessary repairs.  This is a court-ordered payment made to you as a victim of a crime. Upon conviction, the offender pays out-of pocket expenses resulting from your victimization.  In many cases, however, the proceeds of the crime are no longer available and the defendant does not have sufficient assets to pay restitution.  Other remedies may include pursuing a civil suit or small claims court action.


In the case of identity theft, it is also important to take steps to minimize future losses by reporting the instance to your creditors and banking institutions.  The USPIS and Federal Trade Commission’s websites contain additional information on actions to take regarding identity theft.


The following are organizations that have additional information and stand ready to assist victims of crime:
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR VICTIM ASSISTANCE: 1-800-879-6682trynova.org
NATIONAL CENTER FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: ncvc.org
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION: 1-877-FTC-HELP (toll free)ftc.gov
US Postal Inspection Service:1- 877-876-2455 (toll free)  postalinspectors.uspis.gov


Employee Assistance Program:
1-800-EAP-4-YOU (1-800-327-4968)
For the hearing impaired with TTY equipment, call TTY: 1-877-492-7341.

Anniston: Working together to make it work

Employees at the Anniston Post Office have had to face many changes and challenges in the past year, but in spite of everything, they still come together when it's time to get things done.

Right now, Anniston has the highest VOE scores in the Alabama District with 89.5.

To thank the employees, Anniston Postmaster Sheila Laney and her supervisors arranged a thank you celebration. Everyone was given a special t-shirt that was collaboratively designed, and Laney and the supervisors purchased and prepared food for a hot dog bar for breakfast.

When asked, "Why hot dogs at 8 a.m.?" Laney replied, "We didn't want to just go out and buy some food. We picked something that everyone would like that we actually could make for them to show our appreciation."

We asked Laney what factors have contributed to Anniston's VOE success. "Communication is a big one," she said. "And I think that honesty is important, too. We (managers) don't have to have all of the answers, but we have to let employees know what's going on. Employees have to be able to trust us."

"I do care," said Laney. "People need to know that you genuinely care."

Members of all levels of Laney's staff seem to be on the same page.

Carrier David Alexander said, "If we can communicate, then we can get along."

Rural Carrier Tracy Jackson added, "If we all work together, then everything works out."

Laney to the group: "This is a huge accomplishment, especially considering all that we're going through. I really do appreciate each and every one of you."

At the gathering, two carriers were recognized for reaching career milestones. Below is David Skinner being given his certificate for 30 years of postal service. Not pictured is Bruce Tankersley, who was commended for 34 service years.

Rare pair of Million Milers in Irondale

Overall, the United States Postal Service employs approximately 340,000 letter carriers and truck drivers. 

Since 2005, only 6,000 of them have achieved the National Safety Council's Million Mile status, which is  bestowed upon postal employees whose job duties include driving and who have either been behind the wheel for 1,000,000 documented miles or who have 30 years of service without being involved in an at-fault accident. 

Which translates into an award that has been given to fewer than 1 percent of our regular drivers. 

That's why it was such a special occasion yesterday when the Irondale Post Office recognized not one but two of its employees for achieving this safety milestone. 

Letter Carriers Keith Lee and Barbara Clark both received the NSC's Million Mile Award. 

"One Million Miler is rare, but today, we're giving out two Million Mile awards, which is unheard of," said Birmingham Postmaster Mike Allison. 

Allison also commended the entire Irondale facility for being accident free since 2009. 

 From left to right: Irondale Postmaster Jesse Barlow, Letter Carrier Keith Lee, Letter Carrier Barbara Clark, and Birmingham Postmaster Mike Allison.

In a way, both Barbara and Keith attribute their spotless records to their defensive driving skills.

Barbara has been with the USPS for 30 years and, when asked about how she has stayed safe for all of those miles, is too modest in her reply. "I'm always just very hopeful that other people don't hit me," she said. "I've had plenty of close calls.

Keith, a 34-year employee, thinks that perhaps his success on the road is due to the fact that years ago when he was in high school, his vehicle of choice was a motorcycle. "That's when I learned that you have to really watch out for other people," he said.

Please join us in congratulating Barbara Clark and Keith Lee. To put their achievements into perspective, remember that their combined accident-free mileage is equivalent to the two of them having gone 606 times across the USA or 80 times around the world.

Alabama window clerks walk (and run) for a cure in Aliceville

Every day at work, postal employees serve our communities, and many of us go the extra mile in our off time, too.

Aliceville Postmaster Ed Virden shared the following pictures and story:

On a cool, windy Saturday morning (last Saturday, April 21),  SSDA Sarah Johnson from Aliceville and SSDA Kim Spencer from the Carrollton Post Office took part in the 1st Annual Aliceville Walk for A Cure. 

Kim Spencer walking and waving. 

An energetic Sarah Johnson escorted at the head of the pack. 

This was a 2.5 mile course through the streets of Aliceville.  There were over 200 walkers and some runners.

$2600 was raised on this single event. All Proceeds went to Relay For Life, which is a team event to fight cancer.

Our thanks to Ed and especially to Kim and Sarah: it's a boost to everyone's morale to know that we work side by side with some good people.

The Birmingham BURRP

Last Friday, employees at the District offices in Birmingham responded to the Earth Day call to Bring UR Recyclable Paper from home (BURRP) to add to the revenue that we grow through the USPS Green Initiative.

The response was amazing. All departments participated. In fact, there was so many staff members who showed up with their bags full of paper from home that we had to turn some of them away when it came time to take the picture in the confined upstairs entrance.

As promised, those who brought paper from home were entered into a drawing for a chance to win a gift basket. The winner was Injury Comp Specialist Suzanne Hutchinson.

Do you know what would be even better? If somehow, we could get every Alabama employee involved. Wouldn't it be an incredible accomplishment if we could motivate all 9,000 (approximately) of us to bring in just one pound of paper from home every Friday for a year?

How could we do that? If you have any ideas, please submit them to Postmarks by clicking above on Contact Us.

(re)Addressing fabric postcards, and something special just for you

A few weeks ago, we continued our Fun Ways to Increase Revenue series by introducing you to retired postal employee Chris Wheeler and her passion for Trading Fabric Postcards.

Since then, we have received several questions and comments about the making and mailing of these mailable works of art, so we posed them to Chris. Below are her responses.

I would love to participate in the postcard exchange, but I don't know how to sew. 
You do not have to sew to make one of those cards. The peltex is doubled sided glue and You could just use pinking shears to go around the card. Some have used paint.

How do you mail them? 
We sometimes mail them "naked" (not us but the card) if they do not have embellishments on them. Then, you can open the clear envelope and take out the card. Some do mail them in regular envelopes since they come from overseas. But mostly, we mail in clear envelopes.

How much does it cost to mail one? 
In the USA, if we mail them "naked," it cost a first class stamp.. If we put them in clear envelopes, it can't go through automation (or if we dont want to go through automation), and it is 20 cents extra.

At first, some of the exchange members had problems. Finally, I sat down and sent Mr. Potter (former Postmaster General) a letter containing two cards and got clarification. They are treated as first-class letters. So wherever in the world you send them, it's a  first-class stamp unless they are in clear envelopes, and then they are 20 cents extra. That is the best way to look at it. 

Once you get one in the mail, what do you do with it? 

I have a little easel  that I put mine on and change them out. They truly are works of art. I wish you could see all the ones I have in the photo boxes: some are beyond belief. 

It is just so fun and easy. 

Think of it like this. If someone gives you a birthday or Christmas card, what do you do? Keep it for a few days and throw it away.. Okay, but if I give you a fabric card, you're unlikely to toss it because you know that it is handmade and that you have the only one in existence. I can sit down and make 100 of the same card, and every one will be different in some sort of way.

And what do you know, the day after we made that first post about Trading Fabric Postcards, one that had been made especially for us arrived in our mailbox. 

From Chris Wheeler to you--

Back: 

Notice that ours was encased in a clear envelope, just like she explained above.

Front:

Wasn't that a lovely surprise? Our photos don't do it justice. Thanks, Chris -- we love it!

If you would like to see many more examples of these beautiful creations and to be inspired to make your own, you can visit Trading Fabric Postcards by clicking here.

There are LOTS of mothers out there

Oneonta OIC Jeff Glass sent us pictures of Oneonta's Mothers' Day lobby display.

Along with the pictures, Jeff wrote, "Oneonta SSA Sharon Johnson designed this Mothers' Day display behind her retail counter.  It's actually more prominent than it appears in the photos, and she has added a few extra touches since the photos were taken.  It's really quite nice. "


"I'm proud of her work and just thought we'd share the idea."

Alabama District Marketing Manager Bridgett Carroll agrees with Jeff's feelings of pride. "This is exactly the type of initiative and drive we need in our employees if we are going to grow retail revenue."

Okay, we've got three weeks until Mothers' Day, which is plenty of time for every office to do their best to design a promotional reminder in the lobby.

It will be well worth the effort. If Postmarks can't convince you, perhaps these facts about Mothers' Day will do the trick:

1. 96% of Americans participate in Mothers' Day.

2. There are over 85 million mothers in the United States alone.

3. Every year, approximately 133 million greeting cards are sent to mothers through the USPS.

4. Mothers' Day is the second highest gift-giving event in the US.

5. According to Hallmark, in Hispanic communities, Mothers' Day ranks first in card-sending occasions.

Prichard is special

...and they've got the March traveling trophy to prove it!

For the month of March, the Prichard Post Office down in Mobile made the highest percentage score of 63.3 on Special Services for Levels 22-24 offices.

In the front row are Prichard Sales and Service Associates Eunice Bush, Robbie Coate, Beatrice Williams, Mike Hamilton, and Dorrenda Morrissette. Behind them are Manager Michael Carlin and MPOO Reginald Capers.

Earth Day Facts and Birmingham BURRP-ing contest

Birmingham Contest Announcement sent by Sandy Scott: 

Earth Day is organized around low-cost and no-cost actions we can take to conserve our natural resources and save money, too! This campaign complements the Go Green Stamps theme launched in 2011. If you feel as if there’s not much one person can do to make a positive impact — You are wrong! 

“BURRP” (Bring UR Recyclable Paper) was started to promote and encourage postal employees to bring in their Recyclable Paper from Home.  Everyone should have a blue reusable SOAR Bag for recycling.  If not, contact Roy Davis at 521-7925 or email roy.r.davis@usps.gov . 

This Friday, April 20^th fill your SOAR bags.  For each bag that is presented, your name will go into a drawing for a goodie basket!  This event will take the place of the BURRP day normally initiated by Roy.   

Meet us at the BURRP drop location near the second floor elevators between 10:00 am & 10:30 am this Friday, April 20^th to get your name in the drawing for the basket!!!

Items you may include are:

Newspapers

Magazines

Phone books

Color or white paper

Greeting cards

Wrapping paper

Do not include:

Financial transactions or sensitive information of any kind

Documents that include Social Security Numbers

Food contaminated paper

Waxed paper, milk cartons or juice cartons

Oil soaked paper

Carbon paper

Sanitary products or tissues

Thermal fax paper

Stickers or plastic laminated paper

Pet food bags

Plastics bags and liners

Laminated paper

Community Helpers' Day

Last Friday was Community Helpers' Day at New Life Christian Academy in Bessemer, Alabama. Complaints and Inquiry Clerk Lasabria Smith (pictured below with the kids) represented the USPS and was kind enough to share the following pictures and to tell us about the fun-filled morning.

Lasabria wrote: " I explained to the kids how the Postal Service was active in the community by delivering mail to millions of people and how we process it.  I also brought them Postal coloring books and Postal crayons.  The teacher, Ms. Poe, has relatives that work for the Postal Service as well. They provided her with the hat, shirt, and satchel, making her look like a real Postal employee.  I really thought she was."

Lasabria was right: the teacher and everyone else in the picture above could definitely pass as Postal employees.

Carla Dudley, a parent to one of the children, told us more about Community Helpers' Day as a whole.

The Learning Center at New Life celebrates Community Helper's Day annually during the month of April.  The purpose of the day is to make the students aware of the many people who serve the citizens within the community in which they live and go to school.  

On Friday, April 13, The Learning Center welcomed the U. S. Postal Service, Bessemer Fire Department, Home Depot, doctors and nurses from a local clinic, Police officials, the U. S. National Guard and more.  Each Pre K-3 and K-4 class had a different community helper theme.

 The classrooms were decorated, themed goodies were passed out, and the students were dressed in theme.  It was an awesome day and an awesome way to acknowledge those who give so much of themselves daily.  It is also an excellent way to develop relationships and community partnerships alike.

The USPS is proud to have been invited to Community Helpers' Day in Bessemer and we hope that everyone had a fun, educational morning (it sure looks like they did!)

Our thanks to Lasabria Smith and Carla Dudley for sharing the morning with us, too.

Live from Monroeville: To Kill a Mockingbird commemorative event

Last Friday, the town of Monroeville, Alabama, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the film To Kill a Mockingbird by introducing a commemorative envelope and pictorial postmark that were designed by the world-famous artist Nicolosi. 

The festivities began at 10am  in the Monroeville downtown square, which is directly in front of the iconic courthouse. 

Second graders from Monroeville Elementary School waiting to march down the center of the crowd towards the front of the gathering.

Once there, they did a wonderful job of leading everyone in The Pledge of Allegiance.

Once again, Monroeville Clerk Stacey Walton-Leggitte sang a rousing a cappella rendition of The National Anthem that inspired an enthusiastic round of applause from the audience.

Monroeville Mayor Mike Kennedy: "I give a heartfelt thank you to Nicolosi for his contribution to our city. At this time, on behalf of the City of Monroeville, I would like to present him with the key to the city."

Postmaster Tonya Hadley and Nicolosi unveil the pictorial postmark that was designed by Nicolosi.

Postmaster David Neilon, Mayor Mike Kennedy, Nicolosi, and Postmaster Tonya Hadley with the freshly unveiled Nicolosi commemorative envelope.

Nicolosi and Tonya Hadley conclude the ceremonies.

For several hours, visitors lined up to meet Nicolosi and to have him autograph their commemorative envelopes.

Clerk Stacy Walton-Leggitte did triple duty that day: singing, selling, and stamping.

Behind the busy table are Sandy Scott, Nicolosi, and Survivor competitor Colton Cumbie.

Jerry Payne (l) and Tony Scaramouche came all the way from Florida for the festivities and to attend the Heritage Museum's red carpet documentary screening the next day.

We don't yet know the final revenue tallies, but no matter what they end up being, this event soared at achieving community involvement and public good will.

All of the pictures above were taken by Postmarks' own Marvin Owens.