April Has Plethora of Activities at Post Office
By Anne Murray,
Postmaster Fort Myers/Cape Coral
 
April will be an extremely busy month at the Post Office this year.  The month has been declared as “National Card and Letter Writing Month.”  Of course, we all know that “Tax Night” occurs in April.  The Post Office is encouraging customers to participate in “Mailbox Improvement Month.”  And letter carriers across the national will be preparing to participate in the annual Letter Carrier Food Drive.
 
National Card and Letter Writing Month
        This month provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance and historical significance of card and letter writing.  Writing, sending and receiving letters, postcards and greeting cards is a tradition that preserves our nation’s history and changes lives.  There’s nothing like a personal letter to share hopes, challenges, emotions, good news, and memories.  Unlike other communications, card and letter writing is timeless, personal, and immediately tangible.
 
        Card and letter writing also helps improve literacy and promotes creativity among our youth.   This year, the month celebrates writing and sending cards and letters to family, teachers, friends, and neighbors.  Many individuals living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities have few, if any, people visit or send them mail.  Also, many military personnel receive very few messages from “home.”      
 
        So, take pen (or pencil) in hand and send a note to a special person.
 
Income Tax Night
        Income Tax Night comes once a year—without fail!  The U.S. Postal Service delivers your tax dollars—it doesn’t spend them!  Tax Night is officially Thursday, April 15.  Income tax procrastinators need to be aware that extended postal services for mailing those tax returns will be limited to Page Field Main Post Office, 2655 N Airport Rd, Ft Myers.   This location will offer full retail service until 8:00 p.m. with the last collection of mail at that time.  The blue collection box at the Fort Myers Processing & Distribution Center, 14080 Jetport Loop Rd., will be available until midnight, however there will be no stamp sales at that location!   All remaining blue collection boxes in Fort Myers and Cape Coral will be emptied at their regular posted times.
 
Mailbox Improvement Month
        Again this year, the Post Office is hosting a contest for the “most improved mailbox.”  Does your mailbox need a face lift?  If so, make plans to spiff it up and enter it into the Extreme Mailbox Makeover contest.  Mailboxes must be approved traditional, contemporary, or locked full/limited service curbside mailboxes.
 
        The rules are simple:  take a photo of the existing mailbox that needs a makeover; make the changes you desire and take a new photo of the new mailbox; mail both photos—along with your name, address, and phone number to USPS Consumer Council, 79 Mid Cape Terr, Cape Coral, FL 33991; entries will be accepted between now and April 30.
 
        The entries will be judged for creativity and compliance with postal regulations.  Two winners will be announced—one each from Fort Myers and Cape Coral.  The winners will receive two sheets of First-Class mail customized postage stamps featuring a photo of their mail box.
 
Letter Carrier Food Drive
        The 18th annual National Letter Carrier Food Drive will be held on Saturday, May 8.  Letter carriers will be collecting non-perishable food items left by mail receptacles.  For those northern friends who are returning before this date, they may leave their items at any Post Office; the items will be kept for inclusion in the May 8 collection.  All donations will remain in the community to feed the hungry; the bulk of the donations will be provided to the Harry Chapin Food Bank for distribution within their 170 partner agencies.
 
        Volunteers are needed to assist rural mail carriers with the collection of food on their mail routes.  To volunteer, please call USPS Customer Relations at 573-9638.
 
            For more information about purchasing stamps, stamps by mail, postal regulations, a free subscription to USA Philatelic magazine, Post Office events, the location of the nearest postal store or contract unit, or for answers to your specific Postal Service questions, contact USPS at 1-800-275-8777, or visit www.usps.com.  To schedule a presentation for your community, club or group on how the Postal Service brings the Post Office to your home or office computer, call 239-573-9638.