What:

Rural Carrier Barbara Ickes, Dowagiac, MI Post Office, celebrates 37 years of Holiday deliveries before she retires at the end of the year. Media crews are invited to interview and shadow Ickes on her route.

Working for the Postal Service runs in the family as Ickes’ father, Danny Brosnan retired as Postmaster Dowagiac in 1994 after 31 years.

“Our customers are like family,” said Ickes. “My family has served this community for generations. It’s hard to say goodbye.”

Follow Ickes and hear stories about 37 Holiday deliveries and her family’s service to the Dowagiac community.

When:

Friday, December 17, 2021
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Ickes is expected to leave on her route at 10:30 a.m.

Where:

Dowagiac Post Office
202 Commercial Street
Dowagiac MI 49047

Background:

To make arrangements to interview and follow Rural Carrier Barbara Ickes, please contact Elizabeth Najduch, strategic communications specialist, at (313) 225-5452 or email at elizabeth.najduch@usps.gov.

Rural Carrier Barbara Ickes is among the hardworking employees at the Postal Service who are excited to deliver holiday cheer to our customers this season.

Dec. 13-18 is the busiest shipping, mailing and delivery week for the Postal Service when nearly 2.3 billion pieces of First-Class Mail, including greeting cards and packages, will be processed and delivered.

For the 2021 peak season — the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day — the Postal Service will deliver more mail and packages to homes than any other shipper. It’s anticipated that between 850 million and 950 million packages will be delivered for the holidays. The total number of letters, cards and packages processed and delivered is estimated to be more than 12 billion.

Holiday shipping deadlines are fast approaching:

• Dec. 17 – First-Class Mail (including greeting cards)
• Dec. 17 – First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
• Dec. 18 – Priority Mail
• Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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