The Winona Lake and Warsaw post offices will close early Christmas Eve, but regular mail will be delivered as usual both days.
The post office will be closed Christmas and New Year's days, with regular mail delivery and window hours resuming Dec. 26 and Jan. 2."Many businesses close early Christmas Eve," said Winona Lake Postmaster Dan King. "The number of customers visiting our lobbies Dec. 24 greatly diminishes. We view this as an opportunity to allow our retail employees more time with their families by closing retail operations in many locations early."
The Winona Lake and Warsaw post offices will close at noon for retail business Dec. 24, however, parcels may continue to be picked up until 4 p.m. at the Warsaw office and between 2 and 4 p.m. at the Winona Lake office.
The Automated Postage Center at the Warsaw office will continue to be open and available 24 hours a day for those last-minute items you'd like to mail.
"We will make our last collection for mail deposited in blue collection boxes on Dec. 24 at noon," King said. He also said commercial customers should check with their Bulk Mail Acceptance Unit for Dec. 24 hours of operation.
"Only Santa and the Postal Service will cheerfully deliver those last-minute, must-haves packages to family, friends and acquaintances," King said. The Postal Service offers the option of Express Mail delivery on Christmas and New Year's Day for an additional $12.50.
Express Mail items need to be dropped off or picked up by Tuesday for delivery Christmas Day.
"Express Mail customers also get free insurance for up to $100 against loss or damage," King said. "We even provide signature proof of delivery plus tracking information."
Postal Service packaging is environmentally friendly and free. Customers can even mail packages from home by going to www.USPS.com to check rates and schedule a free pick up.
