Suncoast employees throughout the district showed
their dedication despite the many challenges caused by Hurricane Irma. Employees suffered home damage, property
loss, scarce availability of gas, lack of running water and lack of electricity
at home, but arrived at their duty stations, or the closest
stations available, to perform their jobs.
“I am extremely proud of Suncoast employees,” said District Manager Eric
Chavez. “Our employees are making every
effort to provide service as safely and quickly as possible to all of our customers, even in
the hardest hit areas. I want to thank each and every employee for their commitment and dedication.”
The Ochopee, Florida, Post Office -- the smallest
Post Office in the United States (61.3 square feet) – is located in the
Suncoast District, near the Everglades.
The Post Office survived Hurricane Irma, despite being in one of the
hardest hit areas. Clerk Shannon
Mitchell (right) sorts mail and provides retail services to customers. Highway
Contract Driver Brittany Potter (left) delivers mail on the Ochopee 131 mile
mail route that serves 900 residents in three counties and the Miccosukee Indian
Reservation.
Mitchell (left) and Potter (right) prepare mail for
delivery after Hurricane Irma.
Mitchell and many of her family members lost their
homes due to Hurricane Irma. Her belongings (above) are curbside after the hurricane brought water that rose to the window sills of her house. Despite her personal loss, Mitchell said she
wanted to be at work because she is devoted to providing mail service to her
community. Employees from surrounding Post Offices
quickly gathered much needed items to assist Mitchell and Manager Post Office
Operations (MPOO) Mark Schulz organized a convoy that delivered the
collections. “What MPOO Mark Schulz is
doing to help with the recovery efforts for some of our employees in the MPOO D
group is going far and above anything that could be expected of a
manager. Mark has actually moved some of us to tears. We are lucky
to have him,” said Saint James Postmaster Benjamin Rotolo, Jr.
The Palm Harbor Post Office was without electrical power
immediately following Hurricane Irma, so employees (above) gathered outside to
hear the day’s operational plans. Many
also had loss of electrical power and running water at home.
The Interlachen Post Office was without
electricity following Hurricane Irma, so employees used flashlights and
headlights to sort and case mail. Above,
PTF Clerk Matt Press places mail in PO Boxes.
“I want to praise the employees of Interlachen
32148 and its RMPO offices. Hurricane Irma crippled just about every county and
small town in Florida. The town of Interlachen was no different. Like many
offices, we returned to no power. That didn’t stop the employees of
Interlachen. Even with late trucks, terrible road conditions and personal adversity, Interlachen
and its RMPO offices (Florahome 32140, Grandin 32138, Lake Geneva 32160 and
Putnam Hall 32185) every
employee showed up for work. All deliveries were completed except for a few
with unsafe circumstances,” said Interlachen Officer In Charge (OIC) Mike
McManus.
Media outlets, including USA Today, Naples Daily
News, Bradenton News and the Miami Herald ran feature stories on the Ochopee
Post Office surviving Hurricane Irma. Media around the district reported on how
promptly and safely the Suncoast District restored delivery and retail services
for customers. Many residential and business
customers expressed praise for the outstanding efforts by Suncoast District
employees to provide mail services that created a sense of normalcy for their communities.
Way to go, Team Suncoast. We are #Postal Proud!
