Sponsored by the Postal Service, National Dog Bite Prevention May 19–25, 2013 is a public service campaign that offers safety tips and emphasizes the need for increased pet owner responsibility in the prevention of dog attacks.

Letter carriers are the third most likely group to be bitten by a dog.  Children and the elderly rank number one and two, respectively.  You can help protect your letter carrier, meter reader, newspaper delivery person, or neighbors’ children by making sure your pet is properly restrained.  Here are a few suggestions: (more…)

What does your mailbox say about you?  Does it need a face lift?  Does it reflect a positive image of your home?  May is Mailbox Improvement Month.  Fort Myers Postmaster Randy Stines and Naples Postmaster Richard Barber are hosting an “Extreme Mailbox Makeover” contest during May.  Make your plans now to spiff up your mailbox and enter the contest.  You, your letter carrier, and your neighbors will be pleased—whether you win the contest or not!

Here’s what to do:

•           Take a photo of the existing box that needs a makeover.

•           Make the changes you desire and take a photo of the new, spiffy mailbox.

•           Mail both photos, along with your name, address, and phone number to:  USPS                   Consumer Council, 79 Mid Cape Ter, Cape Coral, FL  33991.  Or, email entries to Kathleen.m.swanson@usps.com.

•           Entries will be accepted through May 30. (more…)

U.S. Postal Service customers in Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties are urged to participate in the 21st annual National Letter Carriers Food Drive on Saturday, May 11.  This is the nation’s largest one-day food drive.  Letter Carriers will be collecting nonperishable food when they make their regular deliveries.

The annual “Stamp out Hunger” food drive will assist in replenishing food banks and pantries.  Food banks are notoriously empty during summer months and the need for food is even greater since many children no longer have the benefit of their school food program.

Collected food donations will be delivered to the Harry Chapin Food Bank and Wake Up America in Lee County, Collier Harvest in Collier County, and other participating agencies.  All food donated is distributed to at no cost to the participating agencies.  Monetary donations are also accepted; checks should be made payable to the Harry Chapin Food Bank or Wake Up America in Lee County and Collier Harvest in Collier County. (more…)

Just in time for Spring, a beautiful Butterfly stamp has been issued for large greeting card envelopes by the U.S. Postal Service.  Following the Monarch and Baltimore Checkerspot stamps, Spicebush Swallowtail is the third in a series of butterfly issuances designed specifically for oversized envelopes. The spectacular spicebush swallowtail butterfly graces the stamp for use on large greeting card envelopes. The stamp is available nationwide in panes of 20 stamps at the two-ounce rate of 66 cents each. (more…)

 “When I go out of doors in the summer night, and see how high the stars are,” wrote 19th-century philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, “I am persuaded that there is time enough, here or somewhere, for all that I must do.”  With this illustration of a red, white, and blue striped star, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates American patriotism with a new Forever (46 cents) stamp on sale now nationwide.

Many of our nation’s state flags prominently feature stars in their design. The groundbreaking Flags of Our Nation series, issued between 2008 and 2012, celebrates the flags of all fifty states, six territories and commonwealths, and of course, the Stars and Stripes.  . The star is one of the nation’s quintessential symbols, a shining reminder of our indomitable spirit.  The Patriotic Star stamp features a red, white, and blue five-pointed star on a white background. The star on the stamp is actually two stars—a smaller one inside a larger one. Both have five points, like the stars on the American flag.

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