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Here’s the story of how holiday stamps came to be

Using holiday stamps to send season’s greetings may seem like a centuries-old tradition, but it’s really a relatively recent phenomenon. The first-ever Christmas “stamp” was a nonpostage seal, an idea developed in 1904 by a postal clerk in Denmark to sell seals to raise funds to help children with tuberculosis. That idea was picked up … Read more

North Attleborough postal worker delivers Christmas cheer as ‘Buddy the Elf’

NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, Mass. (WLNE) — For over a decade, a North Attleborough postal worker has delivered packages and Christmas cheer as Buddy the Elf.

Some North Attleborough residents know him as Scott the mailman, but others, know him as Buddy the Elf.

Since 2011, Scott Phillips has been delivering packages door to door as “Buddy.”

It all started when his son showed up on Christmas morning dressed in the green and yellow suit.

“All of a sudden, I see my son walking up with Christmas presents, and he’s in the window…I’m like, ‘This is so awesome!’”

Scott tried on the costume, and since then, has been suiting up as Buddy the Elf every Dec. 23 and Christmas Eve.

USPS is bringing home the holidays

The Postal Service has entered the holiday season’s final stretch. Across the nation, employees are working hard to accept, process and deliver the last batch of holiday mail and packages. “This is the Postal Service’s busiest season, and it’s also a season that brings us so much joy. We love delivering holiday cards and packages … Read more

After 1.8 million miles of service, rural USPS mail carrier gets big surprise from a Secret Santa

A local Secret Santa is giving $1 million to deserving people in eastern Idaho this holiday season. Every day, from now until the end of the year, the East Idaho News elves will be delivering gifts from Secret Santa and we’ll be sharing the surprise videos here.

Jayne has worked as a contractor for the United States Postal Service for more than 39 years, driving over 1.8 million miles on her route and working six days a week with only federal holidays off. Because her position is contract-based, she receives no benefits or pension, making retirement feel out of reach even as she enters her mid-70s.

The wear of the job has taken a personal toll as well: Jayne has gone through seven of her own vehicles to keep the mail moving. Her current car has more than 300,000 miles and a battery that no longer holds its charge, creating safety concerns, especially with winter weather settling in.

Her husband, Larry, has also faced significant health challenges, including Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, arthritis, nerve damage, and colon cancer. Once a dedicated farmhand and trucker for local farmers, his declining health forced him to stop working.

Christmastime is here

Christmas, the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, is Thursday, Dec. 25. Historians believe the holiday originated in Rome in the year 336. As Christianity spread across the world, the celebration of Christmas became more widespread and the holiday evolved to include both religious and cultural traditions, such as exchanging gifts, decorating trees … Read more

USPS OIG Wants your Thoughts on How the Postal Service Screens Potential Employees

Postal Service’s Employee Vetting Process Project start date Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Estimated release April 2026 The Postal Service must thoroughly screen and evaluate prospective employees to ensure suitability and maintain the integrity of the organization. The level of clearance required is based on the type of position; however, most positions are considered low risk … Read more

The Postal Service Can’t Deliver Without Financial Reforms

By Roman Martinez IV Roman Martinez IV served as chairman of the board of the United States Postal Service from 2022-2024 and as a governor until December 2025. He was previously a managing director at Lehman Brothers until 2003. The United States Postal Service has reached a pivotal moment. Challenged by technological disruptions and constrained by … Read more

Implementation Update on the USPS Processing Network

The Postal Service presented its 10-year plan, Delivering for America, back in March 2021. The Office of Inspector General has done numerous audits of the plan, and it’s been reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission in two Advisory Opinions (N2021-1 and N2024-1), a Public Inquiry (PI2023-4), and other proceedings as well. In September 2025, the PRC asked the Postal Service to provide an update … Read more

Celebrating Our Postal Workers This Peak Season

Peak season is the busiest time of year for postal workers across the country. From November through December, and even into the New Year, processing returns, postal workers are working tirelessly to ensure packages, letters, and holiday greetings reach their destinations on time. This year, APWU wanted to do something special to recognize the extraordinary … Read more

NEW VIDEO: NRLCA Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: December 8, 2025

On December 8, 2025, NRLCA National Officers had the distinct honor of participating in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

This meaningful ceremony allowed us to honor not only the veterans within our NRLCA family, but also all the brave men and women who have served our country with courage and dedication.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guarded continuously by the U.S. Army since 1937, stands as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who gave everything in service to our nation. It was truly a privilege for NRLCA to take part in this historic tribute.

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