POTTERPALOOZA
USPS delivers for fans and communities as Pottermania sweeps the country
Did you get anything done this weekend?
Let’s rephrase that — did you get anything done this weekend besides reading the latest adventure of Harry Potter and his friends at Hogwarts?
The Postal Service did. Letter carriers delivered more than 1 million copies of the best-selling novel to anxious fans — enough to increase package deliveries by 30% compared to an average Saturday.
It wasn’t just our record-breaking delivery efforts that highlighted the day. Across the country, employees participated in special events to mark the sixth installment of author J.K. Rowling’s series.
Orange and El Toro, CA, Post Office employees and the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 1100 raised money to buy 25 copies of the book and donate them to Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Many Post Offices around the country teamed with their local libraries for Harry Potter activities like trivia and look-alike events. Other offices partnered with book stores to offer fans commemorative cancellations in their new books.
In Columbia, SC, Postmaster Dennis Moles, National Association of Letter Carriers President Ed Martin and Customer Relations Coordinator Debbie Breland were at the Red Cross — in Harry Potter costumes — to support the “Half-Blood Prince Blood Drive” Friday. Donors were given a voucher for a free copy of Half-Blood Prince in honor of the “Magic in the Mail” day promotion and NBC’s Today Show mentioned the blood drive Friday morning.
When it’s all said and done, Harry Potter and Half-Blood Prince got a whole-hearted effort from the Postal Service!
Monday, July 18, 2005
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Friday, July 15, 2005
Letter carriers on alert for squidgetty Harry Potter fans
OWLS THAT FOR safety?
Letter carriers on alert for squidgetty Harry Potter fans
Squidgetty. What else would you call the droves of young readers who will be squiggling on their front doorsteps and fidgeting by their windows tomorrow as they wait for delivery of the newest Harry Potter adventure, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?
Snowy white owls, like Harry’s Hedwig, are the preferred way of sending messages in the Harry Potter novels.
While readers might be anxiously awaiting their mail, letter carriers — as always — will be on the lookout for children approaching their vehicles. Because of the expected increase in foot traffic around delivery vehicles tomorrow, a standup talk has been issued to letter carriers reminding them to watch for children in front of, behind and on both sides of their delivery vehicles.
We can’t say for sure, but fans might see a carrier or two dressed as one their favorite characters. There could even be one or two dressed as Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore or even an owl — the preferred method of message delivery at Hogwarts — maybe even Harry Potter’s own owl, Hedwig!
Whether they’re in full uniform or taking a few liberties tomorrow, that safety message, “Watch for children around your vehicle,” is worth repeating.
Letter carriers on alert for squidgetty Harry Potter fans
Squidgetty. What else would you call the droves of young readers who will be squiggling on their front doorsteps and fidgeting by their windows tomorrow as they wait for delivery of the newest Harry Potter adventure, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?
Snowy white owls, like Harry’s Hedwig, are the preferred way of sending messages in the Harry Potter novels.
While readers might be anxiously awaiting their mail, letter carriers — as always — will be on the lookout for children approaching their vehicles. Because of the expected increase in foot traffic around delivery vehicles tomorrow, a standup talk has been issued to letter carriers reminding them to watch for children in front of, behind and on both sides of their delivery vehicles.
We can’t say for sure, but fans might see a carrier or two dressed as one their favorite characters. There could even be one or two dressed as Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore or even an owl — the preferred method of message delivery at Hogwarts — maybe even Harry Potter’s own owl, Hedwig!
Whether they’re in full uniform or taking a few liberties tomorrow, that safety message, “Watch for children around your vehicle,” is worth repeating.
USPS: Weather Related Service Updates
Weather Related Service Updates
North Florida District - The Pensacola Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 325) and Panama City Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 324) are operational and drop shipment appointments are being accepted. There is limited delivery services in Gulf Breeze (Pensacola Beach) and Navarre (Santa Rosa Island) due to hurricane damage. In these locations temporary delivery is being established for approximately 1400 residents. The St. Marks Post Office (32355) is flooded and it will be several months before it can be restored. Customers can obtain postal services at the nearby Woodville Post Office until that time.
South Florida District - All suspensions and closures have been lifted and operations are back to normal.
Alabama District - The Montgomery Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Codes 360-361, 368 and 367) and the Mobile Processing and Distribution Center are operational and accepting drop shipment appointments. All Post Offices now have power and are fully operational.
Mississippi District - All services have been restored and the Mississippi District is fully operational.
North Florida District - The Pensacola Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 325) and Panama City Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 324) are operational and drop shipment appointments are being accepted. There is limited delivery services in Gulf Breeze (Pensacola Beach) and Navarre (Santa Rosa Island) due to hurricane damage. In these locations temporary delivery is being established for approximately 1400 residents. The St. Marks Post Office (32355) is flooded and it will be several months before it can be restored. Customers can obtain postal services at the nearby Woodville Post Office until that time.
South Florida District - All suspensions and closures have been lifted and operations are back to normal.
Alabama District - The Montgomery Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Codes 360-361, 368 and 367) and the Mobile Processing and Distribution Center are operational and accepting drop shipment appointments. All Post Offices now have power and are fully operational.
Mississippi District - All services have been restored and the Mississippi District is fully operational.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
USPS set to deliver more than 1 million Harry Potter books
This Saturday, more than one million readers are going to be extremely happy to see their letter carriers. That’s the day USPS is scheduled to deliver the newest Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble have a combined total of more than 1 million advance orders for author J.K. Rowling’s sixth installment in her popular series — and they’ve teamed with the Postal Service to deliver them on the first date of availability.
“We’re delighted to have a role in helping young people discover the joy of reading,” said USPS Chief Marketing Officer Anita Bizzotto. “Our employees will make sure that hundreds of thousands of excited fans can enjoy the new book on the day it is released.”
In much the same way students at Hogwarts turn to Professor Dumbledore for advice, USPS employees will receive a standup talk to help answer questions on how to handle this massive magical mailing. Top of the list? No deliveries before July 16. The standup talk also lists how to handle packages of the books received from UPS at destination delivery units, many of which will be receiving this type of shipment for the first time.
And while USPS may not have access to Harry’s magical powers, we’re sure that faster than you can say “Deliverus importantum,” our employees will do more than just muggle through — they’ll show customers we can work a little delivery magic of our own.
“We’re delighted to have a role in helping young people discover the joy of reading,” said USPS Chief Marketing Officer Anita Bizzotto. “Our employees will make sure that hundreds of thousands of excited fans can enjoy the new book on the day it is released.”
In much the same way students at Hogwarts turn to Professor Dumbledore for advice, USPS employees will receive a standup talk to help answer questions on how to handle this massive magical mailing. Top of the list? No deliveries before July 16. The standup talk also lists how to handle packages of the books received from UPS at destination delivery units, many of which will be receiving this type of shipment for the first time.
And while USPS may not have access to Harry’s magical powers, we’re sure that faster than you can say “Deliverus importantum,” our employees will do more than just muggle through — they’ll show customers we can work a little delivery magic of our own.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)