
The post office has been the focus of a lot of media attention lately. Much of it is prompted by the financial uncertainly that the USPS finds itself in during this coronavirus pandemic. At present, there are more questions than answers. Still, postal workers continue to give “essential service” during this crisis.
On a brighter note, let it be said that the USPS has a 91% approval rating. It is the most trusted agency in the government and that is with folks from all political stripes. That speaks volumes, especially at this time.
Last week, there were several reports about an eleven year old girl from South Dakota named Emerson Weber. “Em” is a devoted letter writer. Yes, she hand writes her letters to friends and family and decorates the envelopes with artful drawings.
“Doug,” her mailman is “very important” to Ms. Weber. Recently, she decided to write a personal note of thanks to Doug. He took his note of gratitude back to the office and showed it to his superiors. Well, word spread and as a result, Emerson began receiving letters back from postal workers from around the country. She even got a letter from Megan Brennan, the Postmaster General.
Emerson Weber’s small act of kindness triggered a huge response both with letters and the media. She was featured in a newspaper article, a NPR interview, and she even made an appearance on Good Morning America! (see links below)

Others throughout the country have shown gratitude to their letter carriers in their individual ways- chalk drawings on the sidewalks, hearts and notes on the window, and small tips left on the mailbox.
“The importance of the letter carriers’ role cannot be overstated during this crisis…They bind communities and the nation together, restoring predictability to an otherwise chaotic situation.” -Paul Barner (The Postal Record)
Emerson Weber sums it up:”I hope that people just take some time in their day to send a letter to their mail carrier because they really do enjoy it. I learned that from their letters,” she said. “And, you can make someone’s day with just a tiny act like writing a thank you letter.”

https://www.npr.org/2020/05/05/850964023/a-fifth-grader-writes-a-thank-you-letter-to-a-mail-carrier
https://www.nalc.org/news/the-postal-record/2020/may-2020