Holiday By The Numbers

The U.S. Postal Service continues as a $65 billion company serving more than 150 million American homes, businesses and PO Boxes in every state, city, town and borough in the country- delivering nearly 40 percent of the world’s mail.

As the holiday season shifts into high gear, consider these numbers next time someone tells you USPS isn't a vital part of America's infrastructure anymore. 

237 –            Number of years USPS has been delivering holiday cheer

17.9 billion-  Amount of cards, letters and packages delivered between Thanksgiving and                                New Year’s Eve 2012

658 million-  Number of pieces of mail processed on Dec. 17, the busiest mailing day of  

                           2012

528 million-  Average number of pieces of mail processed daily

560 million-  Average number of pieces processed daily during the holidays

29.5 million- In pounds, the amount of mail USPS will process for overseas military 

                           installations

170,000-       Number of vehicles used to transport holiday mail

2.5 billion-    Amount of holiday stamps USPS has available this year

242 million-  Number of customers who visit a Post Office during the holidays

34 percent-  Percentage increase of air cargo lift of mail by USPS during the holidays

37 million-    Customer visits to usps.com during the holidays

Important Mail-by-Dates

                    Dec. 3- Priority Mail International

                        Dec. 11- Express Mail International

Dec. 14- Parcel Post

       Dec. 20- First-Class Mail

Dec. 21- Priority Mail

  Dec. 22- Express Mail 

100 Percent Connection

Congratulations to Cathedral and Hamilton Grange Stations for reaching and surpassing 100 percent participation in the Customer Connect program for Quarter 3.

Hamilton Grange Letter Carriers submitted enough Customer Connect leads to meet their target goal and achieve 100 percent participation.
Cathedral Letter Carriers submitted more Customer Connect leads than their target goal and therefore achieved a 146 percent participation score.

(Foreground L to R): Branch 36 CCC David Velazquez, BDS Wilma Rivera, Manhattan PM Robert Brown, Station CCC John Rodriquez, and Mgr. Colin Craigwell present Cathedral Letter Carriers Certificate 

(From Left to Right) Manhattan Postmaster presents Mgr. Richard Thompson, Supv. Maureen Best and Cathedral Station Letter Carriers with Certificate. Station CCC Tracey Diamond holds Certificate. Branch 36 CCC David Velazquez (Far Right) and BDS Wilma Rivera (3rd from right) made presentation   

“We wanted to show our appreciation to all the Letter Carriers who did their part in submitting Customer Connect leads and help increase revenue,” said Business Development Specialist (BDS) Wilma Rivera as she and Branch 36 Customer Connect Coordinator (CCC) David Velazquez presented the stations with a Certificate.

“As more and more stations meet their participation goals, David and I will be there to recognize them.”

The Customer Connect program encourages Letter Carriers to leverage their relationship with customers by identifying new business opportunities and obtaining customer concurrence to meet with a sales representative. To find out more about the Customer Connect program Click HERE

Ansonia Letter Carriers make the Connection

Ansonia Letter Carriers Anibal Nunez, Wil Maymi and Brenda Marshall were recognized for submitting Customer Connect leads that generated $24,457 in new revenue for the Postal Service.

“Lead generation is one of the most important ways the Postal Service builds business,” told Business Development Specialist Wilma Rivera to the employees assembled on the work floor. “Your participation in this program is contributing positively to the financial well-being of the Postal Service.”

Nunez, Maymi and Marshall were each presented with a Letter of Appreciation signed by New York District Manager William J. Schnaars and National Business Agent Larry Cirelli. They were also given a bag full of goodies.

L to R:  Branch 36 CCC David Velazquez, Mgr. Maria Martinez, Ansonia CCC Brenda Edwards, Letter Carriers Wil Maymi, Brenda Marshall, Anibal Nunez, BDS Wilma Rivera

“Submitting a lead is easy,” said Branch 36 Customer Connect Coordinator (CCC) David Velazquez.

“When a Carrier sees a new business open on his route, hand that customer a Business Welcome Kit. Explain how the Postal Service can help them grow their business. Have them fill out a lead card and bring it back to the station. A sales representative will then contact the customer promptly. It’s that simple.”

“Not only does submitting a lead help the Postal Service grow revenue, but it helps the small businesses in the community too, because our services cost less than our competitors,” said Marshall.

“It’s not only part of the job, it feels good to be able to do your part to help the company grow,” added Maymi.

 “We recognize every Letter Carrier who submits a lead that results in a sale,” said Rivera. “We want them to know that we appreciate the hard work they do every day.” 

“I try to bring in new revenue all the time,” smiled Maymi. “I want to keep working here for a long time.”

Amazon.com Partners with USPS for Next-Day Delivery Test

The Proof of Concept test with Amazon.com––postponed twice due to Hurricane Sandy––kicked-off on Saturday Nov. 17.

The new pilot program will leverage the Postal Service’s capabilities to process, scan and deliver packages on the day of receipt. The delivery test involves 454 large Post Offices on the East Coast––from Westchester NY to Richmond VA.––and will run through the holiday season.

“We anticipate receiving about 3.4 million packages from Amazon.com during this test,” said Manhattan Postmaster Robert Brown. “We are very excited about this opportunity and fully expect to meet Amazon’s expectations of 100 percent scanning and on-time delivery rates.”

FDR Mailhandler Gardenia Joe scans one of thousands of packages
from Amazon.com during pilot program

Here’s how it works:

Customers go to Amazon.com and purchase items to be shipped for next day delivery. Amazon.com will process and presort their customers’ orders according to zip-codes. Amazon will transport pallets loaded with the packages overnight to designated Postal facilities where, that morning, employees will scan the items on arrival. Letter Carriers will then deliver the packages that same day, making sure to scan the packages on delivery.

“It’s early yet, but all indicators are that we are getting 100 percent scans, and delivery is on-time.” said Franklin D.Roosevelt Supv. Silas Burgess III.

“This is a big contract for us,” added FDR Mailhandler Gardenia Joe. “We all want to do the best job we can to make sure this test runs smoothly.”

 “I welcome the opportunity to be part of this test,” said 26-year Letter Carrier Scott Demarest.
“We need the revenue and this is a good time for the Postal Service to shine.”

 “This is a golden opportunity for the Postal Service to grow volume and increase revenue.” said Brown. “We are counting on every employee to embrace the challenge and do the best job possible to ensure 100 percent success.”

Phase 1 of the program will conclude on Dec.31. Packages will be delivered seven days a week until Christmas on city delivery routes. 

Relief for Rockaway Residents

Employees from Gracie Post Office joined firefighters from NYC’s Firehouse Engine 22, Hook and Ladder 13, and local businesses to collect much needed supplies for residents of Rockaway Queens, who were hard hit by Hurricane Sandy.

Firefighter Dave Guilford knew that St. Francis Church in Rockaway would be able to distribute the supplies throughout the affected area if he could coordinate a relief drive in his Upper East Side neighborhood––so he asked Grace Station Manager James Warden for assistance.

“Postal employees Woodley Moy and George DiBartola and I were happy to help,” said Warden. “The relief drive took place on Friday Nov. 3 and went on for three days. We set up a makeshift command center along the exterior wall of the Post Office and provided them with recycled cardboard boxes. We loaned them post cons, and flat and letter trays to help them load the supplies. Whatever needed to be done, my crew was more than happy to help.”

Grace Mgr. James Warden (center frame) helps supervise relief effort with FDNY

Upper East Side community comes together to donate, collect, organize
 and ship supplies to victims of Hurricane Sandy in Rockaway Queens  

Local moving companies and even a lumber yard volunteered their trucks into service and employees from a local pub helped Warden, Moy and DiBartola label, package and load seven truckloads worth of supplies and essentials.

Gracie Station on E. 95th Street acts as make-shift Command Center
for relief effort

“The response from the community was overwhelming,” smiled Warden. “It was great to see everybody come together like that, and people were very appreciative of the Postal Service.  If we helped make just one victim of this hurricane a little more comfortable,” remarked Warden, “then it was all worth it.”

During Veterans’ Day weekend, the Better Angels of Our Human Nature—a charitable organization founded by Postal employees from FDR station— joined in the second relief drive held in the neighborhood.

FDR Letter Carrier Ernie Twomley helps load supplies
heading to residents of Far Rockaway, Queens

“I was so impressed with how everybody stepped up and spent thousands of dollars to donate things like heating equipment, diapers, food, cleaning materials,” said Maintenance Supv. Don Daggett, who estimated the second relief drive filled up five truckloads worth of supplies.

If you would like to help Firefighter Guilford's relief drive for victims of Hurricane Sandy,log on to Facebook and type EUS Drop off

Do you know of a positive story that involved the Postal community during or after Hurricane Sandy? Submit it Here

USPS employees, FDNY and Upper East Side community organize
second relief drive for residents hard-hit by Hurricane Sandy

Military Vets Commemorated with Hall of Honor

The New York District re-established a time honored tradition by conducting the inaugural Veterans Day Commemorative Program in the new “Hall of Honor Memorial Rotunda” at the landmark James A. Farley (JAF) Post Office in Manhattan.

Postal Veterans gather around  commemorative plaque at the inaugural "Hall of Honor Memorial Rotunda" ceremony in James A. Farley Post Office

Congressman Jose Serrano joined NY District Manager William J. Schnaars, Manhattan Postmaster Robert Brown, Bronx Postmaster Elvin Mercado, Mgr. of Maintenance James Hardy and Supv. Maintenance Omorede Rainey in unveiling a new commemorative plaque honoring all Postal Veterans - which will complement the beautiful bronze plaques already in place remembering Postal Veterans from World War I and II.

Congressman Jose Serrano with Maintenance Supv. Isaih Perry

“This inauguration establishes a proud tradition that will continue in the future,” said Schnaars in front of a full house in the rotunda. “Our new Veterans Memorial will be a powerful reminder to all who enter the Farley Post Office.  Passersby will pause to remember the men and women who selflessly served this country to protect freedom throughout the world, as well as the families who wait here at home with grace, dignity and hope.”

Veterans Mike Arribito and Diana Antonetty chat with
 Cong. Serrano at event

“For more than 237 years, the Postal Service has been one of the nation’s largest employees of veterans,” stated Hardy. “Nearly 20 percent of our Postal work force has worn their military uniform with pride. Right here in the New York District, our veterans’ workforce is approximately 1,050 strong.”

Congressman Serrano, who is also a U.S. Army veteran, said it was fitting that the Postal Service commemorate Veterans Day in New York.

“The U.S. Postal Service is a vibrant part of our community,” he said. “What better place to honor the sacrifices of the men and women of our armed forces, than in this magnificent historic Post Office.”

Mgr. Business Mail Entry Percival Prince and Supervisor Lynne Watson-Miyamoto delivered stirring renditions of the National Anthem and God Bless America respectively. Mgr. Halbert Clark delivered both the Invocation and Benediction.  Representatives from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Bronx VA Medical Center Outreach Program also attended.

The Postal Veterans “Hall of Honor Memorial Rotunda” will be a permanent growing exhibition. Future plans include mounting flags denoting every branch of military service arranged in a dramatic circular pattern like the rotunda itself, and installing display cases holding personal mementos donated by the servicemen and women who are veterans.

Bronx VA Medical Outreach Supv. Lynn Johnson  supplies
informational brochures for veterans at event.

Proud military veterans  Mgr. Tony Torres,
Supv. Deborah Hart

IF YOU ARE A MILITARY VETERAN FIND OUT ABOUT ALL THE BENEFITS YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO AT:
www.ebenefits.va.gov

Hurricane Relief Information

The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy has left hundreds of thousands of people in the New York and New Jersey area without power. Many have been displaced and lost their homes. Tragically, some have lost their lives.

As communities in the region begin the process of recovery, the U. S. Postal Service is here to help affected employees, residents and businesses.

Northeast Area Postal employees who have been displaced should call 866-877-7666 for assistance.

For the latest information about their work facilities, Postal employees are advised to call 888-363-7462.
Customers with questions or concerns about their mail should call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).

Postal truck delivering mail to downtown NYC in the wake of Hurricane Sandy

Postal employees can also avail themselves of the following resources.

Postal Employees’ Relief Fund (PERF)

The Postal Employees’ Relief Fund (PERF) offers assistance to active and retired employees affected by natural disasters. Employees or retirees who are victims of a natural disaster and have experienced a significant monetary loss after insurance and other relief assistance should review PERF eligibility criteria and mail a completed application with supporting documentation to:                                                                 
Postal Employees’ Relief Fund
PO Box 7630
Woodbridge, VA 22195-7630

USPS Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Hurricanes, flooding and tornadoes cause more than physical damage — they disrupt the lives of everyone affected by them. The USPS Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to help employees or members of their families deal with these disruptions. For information or assistance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, call 800-EAP-4-YOU, (800-327-4968). TTY assistance is available at 877-492-7341. Or, go to the EAP website.

Resources for Disaster Assistance Available to Everyone:

• Federal Aid Programs for State of New York Disaster Recovery (FEMA)- For information on the different federal disaster aid programs providing assistance and application, CLICK HERE. 
• American Red Cross of Greater New York- If you need shelter or help finding relatives, please contact the American Red Cross of Greater New York at 1-877-733-2767 or CLICK HERE. 
• Disaster Relief Assistance- CLICK HERE to report damages to your business or home.  
• Disaster Assistance- To find out what type of disaster assistance you may be eligible for,CLICK HERE. 
• To report non-emergencies- such as fallen trees call 311, or go online CLICK HERE.