Rudolph, WI — The holiday spirit was on full display in Rudolph, Wisconsin, as the United States Postal Service celebrated a major milestone: processing more than 9.5 billion holiday mailpieces nationwide since Thanksgiving Day.

The celebration at the United States Postal Service Rudolph Post Office brought together postal employees, customers, families, and media for a festive community event highlighting the dedication of USPS employees during the busiest mailing season of the year. USPS team members embraced the holiday cheer by dressing as Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, and reindeer, while greeting customers, handing out Christmas wrapped USPS coloring books to children, and offering refreshments to those stopping by.

Adding to the excitement, Matthew Ver Hulst, Wisconsin Rapids Supervisor of Customer Services, was interviewed by local media and filmed delivering mail in a Santa Claus outfit — a moment that captured both the joy and the professionalism behind the holiday operation.

“Processing more than 9.5 billion holiday mailpieces is an incredible accomplishment, and it speaks directly to the commitment of our employees,” said Ver Hulst. “Even during peak season, we take pride in connecting communities and delivering holiday cheer to customers across the country.”

A standout feature of the event was the iconic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer postmark, a beloved tradition that draws international attention each holiday season. Every year, the Village of Rudolph, Wisconsin designs a special philatelic stamp used to cancel Christmas cards sent from around the world.

This year’s postmark held special significance, as Rudolph was designated the first Purple Heart Village in the state of Wisconsin. The 2025 philatelic stamp honors that designation, recognizing and commemorating the sacrifices of Purple Heart recipients and their families.

Retail Associate Kelly Walker shared a meaningful moment from this year’s cancellation process.

“Today, as I opened the envelopes that had been mailed in for our annual Christmas philatelic cancellation, I came across one from Canada,” Walker said. “Inside were letters they requested to be canceled, and they were especially unique. The envelopes featured Purple Heart medal imagery along with U.S. Marine Corps postage stamps. I felt honored to perform the cancellation and return them to the sender, and I hope they will be treasured for many years to come.”

As customers and families gathered to celebrate, the event reflected the heart of the holiday season — service, tradition, and community. From milestone mail volumes to meaningful tributes and festive fun, Rudolph once again proved why it holds a special place in holiday postal history.

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