Postal Carriers To Pick Up Toys

After 10 years of participating in the annual Toys for Tots drive, letter carriers have the drill down fairly pat.

"We're all ready and we have all our troops together," said Robert Gaskin, manager of customer service for the Spring Hill branch of the Brooksville Post Office.

As a result, Gaskin doesn't expect his letter carriers to miss a beat today as they pick up mail and toys left beside the mailbox.

Today is the 10th annual Letter Carrier's Toy Drive, held each year in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corp Reserve Toys for Tots program.

Residents can place new, unwrapped toys in bags or boxes by the mailbox. The toys will be distributed as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community.

This year, because of the tough economy, Gaskin said the campaign has received more than 800 requests from families needing toys.

If past drives are any indication, organizers shouldn't have too much trouble filling that need.

Last year, Toys for Tots distributed 21,000 toys in Hernando County.

Unfortunately, some toys get stolen from their exposed place at mailboxes, Gaskin said.

For that reason, some people have the option of leaving a note in the mailbox notifying the carrier of where to pick up the toy - perhaps ringing the homeowners' doorbell and picking it up personally.

But the preferred place is still at the mailbox, Gaskins said.

Gaskin stressed that all toys collected locally will be distributed in Hernando County.

"As tough as economic times are, there's no cost that can be compared to seeing a smile on a child's face who otherwise wouldn't know what Christmas is without our contributions," Gaskin said.

Meanwhile, the United States Postal Service (USPS) estimates Americans will send 19 billion cards, letters and packages this holiday season.

The USPS recommends the following mail-by dates to ensure your gift arrives on time:

Dec. 4 - Military mail destined for Iraq or Afghanistan

Dec. 11 - Military mail for other overseas bases

Dec. 16 - Parcel Post, the most economical shipping service

Dec. 20 - First-Class Mail

Dec. 20 - Priority Mail

Dec. 23 - Express Mail

Due to security requirements, packages bearing postage stamps that weigh more than 13 ounces must be presented to a retail associate at the post office and cannot be dropped in blue collection boxes.