Publication 100 has a new collage with some of the many tributes to postal workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Postal Service has updated its own history book.

Publication 100, The United States Postal Service: An American History, traces the organization’s evolution from the Colonial era to the digital age.

“It tells the fascinating story of our ever-changing and improving institution,” said Judy de Torok, the Postal Service’s corporate affairs vice president. “I hope everyone enjoys reading this history of the United States Postal Service and its contributions to our nation.”

The 156-page book has been updated through April 2022.

A new chapter, “Delivering for America,” has sections on the Delivering for America plan and the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022.

The new edition also covers the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 election, describing the extraordinary efforts the organization took to deliver the nation’s mail through challenging times.

Other sections cover the different modes of transportation used to move the mail, the rapid changes between the 20th and 21st centuries, stamps and the Postal Inspection Service.

The publication can be downloaded from the PolicyNet site and the Postal History section on usps.com, and print versions can be ordered through eBuy Plus.

It can also be purchased from the Postal Store.

Share your feedback at uspslink@usps.gov. Your comments could be included in the “Mailbag” column.

From left, Stan Franke, Central Area customer relations manager; Sheila Clay, Central Area customer relations program manager; and Susan McGowan, small-business senior specialist, with the USPS Connect Local Cup.

Central Area is the winner of the USPS Connect Local Cup challenge.

Employees from all four Postal Service areas submitted a total of 7,592 sales leads for the new USPS Connect Local delivery option during fiscal year 2022.

USPS Connect Local, which began a national rollout in February, offers businesses affordable next-day delivery in select locations, with same-day delivery, Sunday delivery and pickup options in each state.

The USPS Small Business Solutions team launched a competition in March to see which Postal Service area could submit the most employee leads for USPS Connect Local by the end of the fiscal year.

The Small Business Solutions team had set a target of 5,000 employee-submitted USPS Connect Local leads by Sept. 30. The areas beat that target by more than 2,500 leads.

Each of the four areas had a target number of leads, based on the USPS Connect Local rollout schedule. The area with the highest percentage above its target would be awarded the USPS Connect Local Cup.

Central Area won by submitting more than 2,300 Connect Local leads, which was 475 percent above its target.

“We’re super proud of how employees from all four areas helped drive awareness and adoption of Connect Local by identifying potential customers and submitting leads,” said Susan McGowan, a small-business senior specialist at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC. “Central Area really jumped at the chance to promote the service, which gives small business direct access to the unmatched USPS network.”

More information about USPS Connect Local — as well as the new USPS Connect Regional, USPS Connect National and USPS Connect Returns offerings — can be found at the USPS Connect website.

A new Postal Service video takes viewers behind the scenes during the filming of the 2022 holiday television commercial.

“Every year, we cast real employees in our advertising. And I love that because it just adds to the authenticity of our brand,” says Marketing Vice President Sheila Holman, who was on site during the filming of this year’s ad.

The video features six employees who appear in the “Holiday Ready” ad and showcases their enthusiasm for delivering for America during peak season.

“I’m ready for the holidays because that is our busiest time and I work best under pressure,” says Melissa Washington, a carrier from South Hackensack, NJ. She adds that the experience of filming the ad “is totally amazing.”

Waleska Rodriguez of Stow, MA, also thanks the Postal Service for “the grand opportunity” to be a part of the ad.

Carriers Manuel Raos of Winnetka, CA, and Andrew Farrell of Millbury, MA, share their insights about the selection process in the video.

Raos, who appears first in the ad, thinks maybe his “surprise face” helped him land a spot.

“People still love that sense of having your mailman deliver you a letter and they’re happy to see you. I’m happy to see them,” he says.

After Farrell submitted an audition tape, “I didn’t really expect to hear back but next thing I knew, I was out here.”

After wrapping this year’s ad, Farrell is ready for any possibility of additional callbacks. “I totally appreciate getting this opportunity. It’s super exciting,” he says. “Maybe I can do more in the future.”

Carriers Cynthia Williams of Tampa, FL, and Devon Jones of Gardena, CA, are preparing to get recognized by their customers.

“They’re going to be shocked when they see me,” Williams says. “They’ll probably ask me, ‘Hey, wait a minute. Were you in a commercial?’”

Jones adds that the commercial role further inspires him to stay “holiday ready” throughout the season.

“I’m glad to say this is for all my customers that say, ‘Hey, that’s my mailman that’s on television,’” Jones says.

He also acknowledges the hard work behind whole experience. “Everybody working hand in hand, and I’m glad to be a part of it,” he says.

Share your feedback at uspslink@usps.gov. Your comments could be included in the “Mailbag” column.

Combined Federal Campaign charities provide a variety of health care and other services for military members.

The Combined Federal Campaign’s cause of the week is military support.

The Postal Service has deep ties to the military community — more than 68,000 USPS employees are veterans of the armed forces.

They are colleagues who understand firsthand the hardships and sacrifices of service: long separations, celebrations spent apart, uncertain futures, frequent moves, and most devastating for those who experience it, the lingering effects of trauma.

They need and deserve support.

If you are unsure of where to focus your giving in this category, the website for the campaign, also known as the CFC, makes it easy:

• Under “CFC Giving System” on the homepage, choose the “Online Charity Search” link.

• You will be brought to the “Find a Charity” page. The second field shown will be “Select a Specific Category.” While there is no category for “military” or “military support,” many related groups can be found under “International, Foreign Affairs and National Security.”

• In addition, entering the word “military” under the charity name search brings up several pages of military support charities.

The Combined Federal Campaign is the federal government’s workplace charity drive. The latest campaign began Sept. 1 and runs through Jan. 14.

Participation in the CFC is voluntary.

The GiveCFC.org website has more information.

This is the eighth in a series of articles spotlighting the Combined Federal Campaign’s cause of the week. Next week: children and family services.