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Young customer helps honor letter carrier

Smiling people stand in postal workroom
Kenosha, WI, Letter Carrier Michelle Badham gathers with the Hoepner family following a ceremony where she was honored for her service. From left are Badham and Sue, Mitchell and Sara Jean Hoepner.

A Lego-loving boy in Kenosha, WI, has surprised his favorite Postal Service employee once again.

Mitchell Hoepner, the 12-year-old boy who gave Letter Carrier Michelle Badham a replica LLV he made from Lego building blocks during the winter, was a surprise guest at a recent Post Office ceremony where Badham was recognized for her service.

Postmaster Jeannie McLaughlin said Mitchell and his mother, Sara Jean, and sister, Sue, were “pretty excited” to participate in the presentation.

“They had come up in the side door, and stayed out of sight until I called Michelle up,” said McLaughlin. “Then they came around the corner, and when Michelle saw them, she teared up. It was very heartwarming.”

Badham was touched to see Mitchell and his family. “There is a special place in my heart for that family,” she said.

Sara Jean later expressed her appreciation for Badham on social media.

“I’m so glad that we have Michelle delivering our mail all these years,” she wrote. “It’s nice to have people who care about the community they work in.”

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