Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PIERCETON - People go on talk shows to be made over.
There are shows about extreme make-overs for houses and/or rooms.
Now, during May, Pierceton Post Office customers can go extremes with makeovers for their mailboxes.
Recently, Pierceton Post Office Postmaster Kimberly R. Howell announced the post office's "Extreme Mailbox Makeover Contest" as part of National Mailbox Improvement Month.
During May, customers are encouraged to fix, clean, paint, put their name and address, including house number on their mail boxes or even replace their mailboxes altogether. Carriers will watch and wait to see whose mailbox has an extreme makeover. During the week of May 24-28, carriers will take photos of the mailboxes to be judged by the post office employees later.
Winners will be announced June 4.
Each postal route will have three winners, in the categories of "most improved," "most unusual" and "overall beauty." A grand prize of a piece of postal art will be given for the Best Extreme Makeover. A total of 10 prizes will be given.
Howell said she first got the idea for the extreme mailbox makeover contest while attending Warsaw Community Church. The pastor was doing a sermon on extreme makeovers, albeit in a biblical sense. From there, as well as from television, Howell was inspired to take the theme of makeovers and apply it to mailboxes.
The idea for the mailbox makeover contest has spread. Howell said, "Quite a few offices across Indiana picked up on my idea."
She submitted her idea to Indianapolis, who sent the idea out via the postal Web site - www.usps.com - and "a lot of people picked up on it."
Two post offices that Howell said she is aware of who also are participating in the makeover contest include South Whitley and Crown Point.
"Good mailboxes are really important to the post office," she said Monday.
If a mailbox lid is missing or does not close properly, she said, mail can get wet or be blown away. It makes the rural carrier's job easier if the mailbox is the right height and is not damaged.
Having the correct name and address on the box is important, especially to new substitute carriers, so they can find the right mailboxes. Having the proper addresses on mailboxes also assists emergency services. Addresses should be on both sides of the mailbox.
Pierceton Post Office serves three rural routes and has approximately 2,000 deliveries per day, including to Sidney.
Any questions, call the Pierceton Post Office at 574-594-2627.
