Post Office Gallantly Delivers Mail and Packages Through the Holiday Season

There's no time like the holidays. Especially if you work in mail and package delivery. The bundles get bigger, and the deliveries must go on. For our local post office, they have seen an increase this year in packages. Last year they would sometimes see 400-500 parcels a day. That used to be a big day. Once last year they had 1000 parcels, that was the highest they had ever had in one day. This year they have already had a day with 1500 parcels. The Post Office can process about 300 parcels per hour. This increase creates longer hours for the sorting and delivery. Nothing is held at the Post Office, all the mail is delivered each day. They have not hired any new people to accommodate, as the Post Office hires by what you earn, and they are fully staffed with what they earn on the clerk side. However, on the carrier side they have earned another person but they havent found a person for that job yet. Currently, Will Cunningham is the only delivery person in town.

Letters to Santa are also coming in, and they want to get all of those to the North Pole in time. Some of the things that are mailed are weird. People have even shipped bikes through the mail. As long as a package is less than 70 pounds and less than 130 inches in length and girth, you can ship it. Baby chicks are often shipped through the mail in the spring.

Post Mistress Heather will be moving into a new sales position with the post office. Since 2019 she has traveled to work from Laurel to Roundup. She will be able to work from home beginning December 30th, her last day as the Roundup Post Mistress is the 29th. The new Post Mistress will be Sandy Schrump. Fran and Brian continue to work at the front desk. Sabrina, Angie, and John sort. There are a couple fill in employees as well. There are two contract routes, and Will Cunningham does the deliveries around town.

Will is a local hero, working 10-12 hours a day. with the Christmas spirit, you will see him driving around town with his reindeer horns and nose on his truck that he purchased. He works long hours to get all the mail out around town. Holly states that Will is the hardest working mail carrier she has ever known, and has the best attitude. "This town is very lucky to have him."

Tips to help your mail man are; To please keep your dogs leashed for the mailmans safety, and ease of access. Keep your porch light on for Will, as sometimes it takes him till after dark to get everything delivered. If you really love the mailman and want to make his life easier, put your mail box out by the sidewalk so he doesnt have to climb steps and dodge dogs. Shovel your sidewalk and steps, this will help the mailman stay safe. In summer, if you keep a dryer sheet in your mailbox, it will help keep hornets from building a nest within. Will delivers everything every day. No mail goes undelivered.

Please take the time to thank your Postal Workers in this holiday season. We have been fortunate to have great weather, but they work hardest in the most inclimate time of year. Happy Holidays to all.