USPS News Link – The Postal Service is reminding employees that collection boxes should not be donated to outside organizations.

Nonprofit groups and other outside organizations often request the donation of old collection boxes for use in a variety of ways, such as the collection of gifts during the holidays, or as a receptacle for the gathering of worn or torn American flags. The boxes are often repainted and relabeled with the name or logo of the organization that is facilitating the collection.

This is a violation of USPS policy.

Handbook AS-701, Asset Management, explains that donations of collection boxes are prohibited, including donations to federal or state agencies, academic institutions and nonprofit organizations.

Under postal policy, old collection boxes that cannot be refurbished must be destroyed, not donated.

Employees must seek permission from Asset Management before destroying a serviceable collection box. If a collection box is unserviceable, employees should dispose of the box using PS Form 969, Material Recycling and Disposal.

If the request is approved, the box must be eliminated through scrapping, followed by metal recycling.

This is the only authorized method for disposing of collection boxes.

Boxes that are identified as a candidate for refurbishment per Maintenance Management Order (MMO) Number MMO-020-17 must be returned following the MMO guidelines.

Because collection boxes are an important symbol of the Postal Service, honoring this policy will help the organization protect its brand. The policy also aims to reduce potential service problems for customers, who could inadvertently drop mail into a box that is no longer used for collection.

Employees who have questions or who want to request approval to destroy an old collection box should send an email to HQINVESTMENTRECOVERY2@usps.gov.

Yukon Man Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes as a Postal Carrier

MACON, Ga. – DOJ – A Miami, Florida man pleaded guilty to stealing mail and checks out of a Macon mailbox, an action that triggered the victim to hold the defendant at gunpoint in an effort to prevent his escape, announced Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Jeremy Brown, 31, entered a guilty plea to one count of theft of mail before U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell today. Defendant Brown is facing a maximum term of five years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000 and three years supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for April 1, 2020. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to the stipulation of fact entered in court, the victim observed a white Ford Mustang driven by Brown stopping at the mailboxes at his home and his parents’ home next door on June 12, 2018. Suspecting the individuals inside the vehicle were stealing mail, the victim reviewed his personal security camera footage, which confirmed that mail was being stolen from his mailbox. The victim alerted his mail carrier the following day. The mail carrier called the victim before delivering the mail on June 13, 2018. The victim positioned his vehicle in a neighbor’s driveway so he could block the individuals he suspected were stealing his mail if they came again. Brown returned in the same white Mustang, and again removed mail from the mailbox. The victim blocked the road with his vehicle, called law enforcement and held the suspects at gunpoint until law enforcement arrived. Brown admitted to stealing mail, which included a $1,041 check made payable to the victim, as well as two additional checks in the amount of $15,555.02 and $700, made payable to other individuals.

“Theft of mail is a serious federal offense and violators will be prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “I want to thank the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office for quickly responding to this situation, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their excellent work in this matter.”

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Keyes is prosecuting the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.

Christian Spells, son of Capital District Marketing Specialist Kirk Spells, participates in an Operation Santa promotional event in College Park, MD, last month.

USPS News Link – 1/08/20 – Participation surged to record levels last year in a Postal Service program that helps employees and customers fulfill the holiday wishes of those less fortunate.

Through Operation Santa, individuals and organizations “adopt” letters to Santa Claus from families in need and fulfill their requests, which often involve basic necessities like food and clothing.

More than 12,760 letters were adopted in 2019, the highest number in the program’s long history and an increase of more than 240 percent from the year before.

Approximately 11,300 packages were shipped through USPS to children and families in response to their letters, while the Operation Santa website received 949,420 visitors, about 20 times the number of visitors from the previous year.

“We continue to answer wishes big and small with this program and spread joy that gives such a meaning to the Christmas holiday,” said Chicago Customer Services Manager Janice Hall, who serves as an Operation Santa “chief elf” each year.

Operation Santa traces its roots to 1912, when postal workers and customers began adopting children’s letters to Santa.

USPS offered several versions of Operation Santa in 2019, including a digital program where letters are posted online for adoption and a legacy program in Chicago and New York City where letters can be adopted in person.

Postal Service leaders attribute the participation spike to these changes, including a modification that allowed individuals nationwide to adopt letters.

A customer in Oakdale, CA, wrote to USPS to express his gratitude for the package his granddaughter received on Christmas morning.

“[She] opened her package from Santa Claus and was overjoyed to say the least,” he wrote.

The man added: “I am sure Santa needs little encouragement from an old grandfather, but for what it is worth, please tell Santa his work is beyond compare and to please keep it up.”

CHICAGO (CBS) – For weeks, there were constant ripoffs from mailboxes in the West Loop.

Residents just couldn’t figure out how thieves were getting in.

Now, a woman is behind bars, facing federal charges. Thanks to a traffic stop by Chicago police, CBS 2’s Jermont Terry reports.

For those living in the West Loop the arrest is a great start. However, the looming question: who else was in on this crime spree.

It’s not that simple for people in this neighborhood to get mail, especially with thieves gaining access to secure buildings by using a U.S. postal worker master key.

Neighbors were forced to install a digital key pad, mainly because crooks kept stealing mail, using the key postal workers should only carry. But clearly these were no mail carriers.

“It was such a violation to have someone pry open the mailbox,” one woman said. “It’s ridiculous.”

These thieves walked away with personal information, too.

“Our neighbor had her identity stolen,” a resident said. “These people had taken out credit cards and mortgages.”

CPD arrested Aliyah Massari. More at CBS Chicago

MONTEREY PARK, CA — The U.S. Postal Service today marked the beginning of the Lunar New Year by issuing a new Forever stamp celebrating the Year of the Rat. The stamp was dedicated during opening ceremonies of the Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival, one of the largest festivals of its kind in the nation. The public is asked to share news of the stamp using the hashtag #LunarNewYear.

“For more than 100 years, we have issued stamps that celebrate the cultures of people who have come from around the world, reflecting the rich and multi-faceted heritage of America,” said Luke Grossmann, the event’s dedicating official and senior vice president, finance and strategy, U.S. Postal Service. “Ours is truly a world culture, and our stamps allow us to weave together the unique threads of our national tapestry.”

Joining Grossmann to dedicate the stamp was Hans Liang, mayor of Monterey Park, CA, who served as master of ceremonies.

Lunar New Year is the most important holiday of the year for many Asian communities around the world. Across these varied cultures, many traditions exist for ringing in a new year of good luck and prosperity. In communities across the United States, people shop for food and other supplies, hang decorations and ceremoniously clean their homes and streets to welcome the year with a fresh start.

The rat is the first of the 12 zodiac animal signs associated with the Chinese lunar calendar. Those born during the Year of the Rat may be seen as very clever, self-aware and highly social. The Year of the Rat begins Jan. 25, 2020, and ends Feb. 11, 2021.

With blue as the predominant color — said to be one of the lucky colors for individuals born during the Year of the Rat — the rat mask in the stamp design incorporates elements with symbolic meaning. Several of the patterns were created with the style of Asian textiles and the circle in the center of the rat’s head represents the new moon on which the Lunar New Year begins. A pop of the very lucky color red ties the design in with other common celebratory decorations.

Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with original artwork by Camille Chew.

The Year of the Rat stamp is the first stamp in the third series of celebrating Lunar New Year. The first series ran from 1992 to 2005 and the second series from 2008 to 2019. The Year of the Rat stamp is being sold in panes of 20. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Postal Products
Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through The Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide. Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1?ounce price. A variety of stamps and collectibles also are available at ebay.com/stamps.

Information on ordering first-day-of-issue postmarks and covers is at usps.com/shopstamps under “Collectors.”

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

On November 19, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kelly Carter, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 560 (located in Benton Harbor, Mich.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement, two years of probation, and 200 hours of community service.

Carter previously made restitution totaling $9,031. On August 20, 2019, Carter pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,031, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of the Inspector General.

See PEN’s previous coverage of this article HERE

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Former U.S. Postal Service employee Elizabeth Shante Brown, 29, of Panama
City, Florida, was sentenced last week to serve 25 months in federal prison after pleading guilty
to stealing and using debit cards and checks from postal customers, as well as cash from Post
Offices. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the
sentence following Brown’s guilty plea to charges of bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and
theft of United States mail.

While working for the Postal Service at locations in Okaloosa, Walton, and Holmes counties in
Florida, Brown stole postal customers’ individual and business bank checks and debit cards from the
mail between March 1 and May 31, 2017. She used the stolen debit cards to purchase or attempt to
purchase items of value and used the stolen checks to obtain or attempt to obtain cash. Brown was
arrested after she attempted to cash one of the stolen checks at a bank in Panama City. As part of
her sentence, Brown was ordered to pay restitution to the victims.

“Public servants have an obligation to treat the public with respect and integrity, but this
defendant tried to use her position of public trust for personal enrichment without regard to how
it would hurt her innocent victims,” U.S. Attorney Keefe said. “This kind of flagrant violation of
that trust will not be tolerated, and the result will be prison time for someone who thought she
could get away with it.”

The case resulted from an investigation by the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector
General and the Panama City Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States
Attorney J. Ryan Love.

“The sentencing serves as a strong deterrent to those attempting to abuse the Postal Service and a
clear reminder that the government is vigilant, and these crimes will not be tolerated,” said
Special Agent in Charge Christopher Cave, of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General
Southern Area Field Office. “The USPS-OIG, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue
to vigorously investigate these types of cases in order to continue to protect the sanctity of the
Postal Service.”

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that
serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access
public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of
Florida website. For more information about the United States Attor ey’s Office, Northern
District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

WICHITA, KAN. – A contract mail truck driver for the U.S. Postal Service was sentenced today to two years on federal probation for stealing money from the mail, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. In addition, he was ordered to pay more than $3,000 restitution.

David A. Logan, 51, Fort Scott, Kan., pleaded guilty to two counts of mail theft. In his plea, he admitted stealing money from pieces of mail on his route. In one count, he admitted stealing two pieces of mail containing $50 and $675. In the other count, he admitted stealing three pieces of mail containing $100, $130 and $70. The crimes occurred in Chanute, Kan.

McAllister commended the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger for their work on the case.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — DOJ – 1/14/20 – Domingo Ene, 28; Joshua Hopoi, 24; and Raymond Su, 31, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to steal U.S. mail, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Ene also pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen firearm.

According to court documents, from April 2018 to July 2018, the three men conspired to steal mail that was passing through Sacramento International Airport. All three defendants worked at Sacramento International Airport as employees of a company that provided ground services. Their positions involved handling baggage and mail. They loaded mail from the Sacramento area onto departing flights, as well as unloading incoming mail from arriving flights. The defendants stole mail, especially cash and gift cards, and they used the gift cards to make purchases. According to court documents, the defendants obtained at least 95 stolen gift cards and at least $3,295 in cash.

According to court documents, Ene also used his position as an employee at Sacramento International Airport to steal items from checked luggage. One of the items that he stole was a pistol that had been checked on a flight departing from Sacramento.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Narcotics and Economic Crime Investigations Task Force, Roseville Police Department, Citrus Heights Police Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, and Sacramento Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Miriam R. Hinman is prosecuting the case.

The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on May 5. They face a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy count. Ene also faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of the stolen firearm. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

What:

The U.S. Postal Service will dedicate a stamp honoring golfer Arnold Palmer (1929–2016), who rose from humble beginnings to become a champion.

The stamp dedication ceremony at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by Mastercard is open to ticketholders. Limited tickets are available for philatelic media available upon request. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #ArnoldPalmerForever.

For more information, visit usps.com/arnoldpalmer.

Who:

The Honorable Roman Martinez IV, U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors

When:

Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at 11:15 a.m. EST

Where:

Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by Mastercard
Bay Hill Club & Lodge
9000 Bay Hill Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32819

Background:

The U.S. Postal Service will dedicate a stamp honoring golfer Arnold Palmer (1929–2016), who rose from humble beginnings to become a champion. With drive and charisma, he helped transform a game once seen as a pastime for the elite into a sport enjoyed by the masses.

During a nearly decade-long period beginning in 1958, Palmer led the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) Tour in yearly money winnings four times; won the Vardon Trophy, awarded to the player with the lowest scoring average, four times; and twice earned PGA Player of the Year honors. In 1964, he won his seventh and final major. The six U.S. Ryder Cup teams of which he was a member won the biennial international competition. He captained the team twice, first as a player in 1963, then in 1975. Overall, Palmer won 62 PGA Tour events, the fifth-most of all time, and 92 tournaments worldwide.

The stamp features James Drake’s action photograph of Palmer at the 1964 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD. Palmer’s name appears in the top left corner and the words “Forever” and “USA” are printed along the bottom of the left edge.

Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp.

The Arnold Palmer stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp, which will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Postal Products
Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through The Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Consider this a warning.

Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies are going after people who steal packages right off a victim’s porch. Investigators are working undercover to catch the crooks red-handed.

We’ll start by staying, we’re not sharing any secrets that would ruin the operation.

Deputies want thieves to know the stings are happening. It might convince crooks not to steal packages in the first place.

We’ve seen how bold and brazen some of these criminals can be.

Package thefts happen in broad daylight and in busy neighborhoods. The security camera video gets shared on the news and on social media, but the crime is rarely reported to authorities. More at KHOU

Three men, including a former postal employee, will serve lengthy prison sentences for the December 2018 heist of a Nebraska postal truck.

Gary Fellows has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, Sidney Britt to 20 years, and Joshua Britt to 11 years and three months.

Fellows was a truck driver for the post office, Sidney Britt used a gun in the holdup and Joshua Britt drove the getaway vehicle.

According to U.S. Attorney Joseph Kelly, the heist began at a Grand Island mail distribution center. About 9:30 p.m. December 14, 2018, Sidney Britt, wearing a mask and flashing a gun, accosted a postal employee at the center and forced him into a semitrailer truck there. Once inside the cab, Britt covered the man’s head and tied his hands. Omaha.com

Read original DOJ coverage at PEN Here

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bergen County, New Jersey, woman today admitted participating in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Estela Blaustein, 55, of Mahwah, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court to an information charging her with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud with four individuals who have been previously charged by complaint in the District of New Jersey: Mark Filippone M.D., 71, of Wallington, New Jersey; Joseph Vangelas, a/k/a “Joseph Miller,” 33, of Fort Lee, New Jersey; Marlene Vangelas, 58, of River Vale, New Jersey; and Zachary Ohebshalom, 33, of Edgewater, New Jersey. The charges against those four defendants remain pending.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Beginning in November 2016, Blaustein participated in a scheme to obtain millions of dollars in health benefits from the federal workers’ compensation program by prescribing and dispensing expensive, but medically unnecessary, pain creams. Filippone treated hundreds of now-former U.S. Postal Service employees for injuries they purportedly suffered on the job. He allegedly facilitated their disability claims by submitting forms and medical reports to the Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Program, for patients who were not, in fact, disabled.

Filippone also prescribed expensive topical pain creams, which were not needed or wanted by many of his patients. The information alleges that Filippone steered these prescriptions to a pharmacy in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, where Blaustein was the pharmacist-in-charge. The Fairlawn Pharmacy was owned and operated by Joseph Vangelas and Marlene Vangelas, who, along with Ohebshalom, directed Blaustein and others to research reimbursement rates within the federal workers’ compensation program for the ingredients of the pain creams in order to determine the most lucrative formulations. Joseph Vangelas, Marlene Vangelas, and Ohebshalom directed Blaustein and others to print prescription labels for Filippone to use with his patients. Filippone used the pre-printed labels and sent the prescriptions back to the Fair Lawn Pharmacy. To induce Filippone to prescribe the medically unnecessary pain creams in the exact formulations they desired, Joseph Vangelas and Marlene Vangelas purchased Filippone’s medical office and then permitted Filippone to continue to use the premises, for which he routinely failed to pay rent. Miller, the Vangelases, and Ohebshalom conspired to leverage the property to force Filippone to continue to send prescriptions to their pharmacy. Filippone continued to send prescriptions to the pharmacy, so long as Miller and the Vangelases permitted him to remain rent-free in the property.

The count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss derived from the offense, whichever is greater. As part of her plea agreement, Blaustein agreed that the charged healthcare fraud conspiracy caused losses of $1.5 million to $3.5 million. Sentencing is scheduled for April 22, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office Matthew M. Modafferi; the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael C. Mikulka; and special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John R. Tafur, with the investigation leading to the charges and today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua L. Haber of the Healthcare Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division, Newark.

The charges and allegations in the information pertaining to Filippone, Joseph Vangelas, Marlene Vangelas, and Ohebshalom are merely accusations, and those four defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defense counsel: Jerome A. Ballarotto Esq., Trenton, New Jersey

St. Louis, MO – DOJ 1/16/20 – Dywane Upchurch, 39, of St. Louis, MO, was sentenced to 60 months for his role in robbing the Richmond Heights Post Office and assaulting a Postal employee while committing robbery. Upchurch appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry.

According to court documents, on December 6, 2018, Dywane Upchurch entered the rear door of the U.S. Post Office in Richmond Heights located on Big Bend Boulevard. He was armed with a nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol. Once inside, Upchurch brandished the firearm and forced both employees into a restroom. Upchurch then went to the cash register and stole approximately $8,800 in cash.

On January 17, 2019, Upchurch was taken into custody after United States Postal Inspectors executed an arrest warrant at a residence on Blakemore Place, St. Louis, Missouri. A firearm possessed by Upchurch was seized from the residence.

Upchurch pled guilty in October to felon in possession of a firearm and assault while committing a robbery.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Richmond Heights Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ware is handling the case.

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that David W. Miller, Jr., of Warminster, PA has agreed to pay the United States $12,000 to resolve civil allegations that he made fraudulent insurance claims to the United States Postal Service.

The government’s investigation began when a proactive review of claims data disclosed that Miller had made a large number of insurance claims to the Postal Service during 2017 and 2018. The government alleges that Miller falsely claimed that packages he sent or received via Priority Mail arrived damaged, when they were not, and that Miller submitted false information and documentation to support his postal insurance claims. The government contends that as a result, Miller improperly received between $1,830 and $9,100 from the Postal Service.

“Fraud should never pay, and we are committed to ensuring that it does not,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “My Office places a high priority on enforcement in all types of fraud against the government and works with its law enforcement partners to identify and investigate these matters. This case should serve as notice that we will come after anyone who steals from the United States government, with every tool we have.”

Kenneth Cleevely, Special Agent in Charge, Eastern Area Field Office, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG), stated: “Ancient Greek playwright Sophocles once wrote, ‘Things gained though unjust fraud are never secure.’ In this case, Mr. Miller attempted to obtain what he thought would be free money from the U.S. Postal Service. However, due to the investigative efforts of special agents with the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and our law enforcement partners, he is learning the hard way that there is no such thing. USPS OIG special agents vigorously investigate allegations of fraud targeting the Postal Service, and will pursue the appropriate remedy when fraud is discovered.”

To report fraud, waste, or abuse within the Postal Service, contact the USPS OIG hotline at www.uspsoig.gov or 888-USPS-OIG.

The settled civil claims are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General. It was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mark J. Sherer, Fraud Investigator Frank O’Conner, and Auditor Denis Cooke.

What:

In February 2020, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Let’s Celebrate! stamp for any joyous occasion. Whether celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, a new job or retirement, this stamp will help mark the occasion.

News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #CelebrationStamp.

Who:

Janice Walker, vice president, Corporate Communications, U.S. Postal Service

When:

Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, 1 p.m. Mountain Time

Where:

Aripex 2020 Stamp Show
Mesa Convention Center
263 North Center Street
Mesa, AZ 85201-6628

RSVP:

Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/celebrationstamps.

Background:

Like a burst of confetti, Let’s Celebrate! adds an extra dash of color to celebratory greeting cards, invitations and gift-bearing envelopes and packages.

The Let’s Celebrate! stamp features colorful circles in varying sizes arranged in a random pattern. The letters in “celebrate,” cast in a dark green hue, appear inside several brightly colored circles. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp.

Let’s Celebrate! is being issued as a Forever stamp, which will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic catalog or at Post Office locations nationwide.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

What:

The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the beauty of Wild Orchids with stamps of flowers that grow in the United States. The stamp art highlights photos taken by photographer Jim Fowler. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps.

Each stamp features a photograph of one of these nine species: Cypripedium californicum, Hexalectris spicata, Cypripedium reginae, Spiranthes odorata, Triphora trianthophoros, Platanthera grandiflora, Cyrtopodium polyphyllum, Calopogon tuberosus, and Platanthera leucophaea. Within the booklet, each stamp design is featured twice. The Wild Orchids stamps will be issued with 10 stamp designs in booklets of 20 and coils of 3,000 and 10,000.

The stamp dedication ceremony is free and open to the public. News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtags #OrchidStamps and #FlowerStamps.

Who:

Jakki Krage Strako, U.S. Postal Service chief customer and marketing officer and executive vice president

When:

Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, 11 a.m. EST

Where:

The American Orchid Society Library at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road
Coral Gables, FL 33156

RSVP:

Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/wildorchids.

Background:

Orchids are beloved by plant experts and casual flower lovers alike for their gorgeous colors, unusual look and delicate features.

Part of the largest family of plants on Earth, orchids grow in many climates and thrive under a variety of conditions. There are more than 30,000 species of wild orchids in the world, with more than 100 species native to North America.

Many orchids native to North America are endangered or threatened, making sightings in their natural environment increasingly rare. These striking flowers are native to damp woodlands and numerous organizations across the country are working to preserve their habitats. Orchids also thrive in cultivated gardens or as houseplants.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through The Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

What:

The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the beauty of Wild Orchids with stamps of flowers that grow in the United States. The stamp art highlights photos taken by photographer Jim Fowler. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps.

Each stamp features a photograph of one of these nine species: Cypripedium californicum, Hexalectris spicata, Cypripedium reginae, Spiranthes odorata, Triphora trianthophoros, Platanthera grandiflora, Cyrtopodium polyphyllum, Calopogon tuberosus, and Platanthera leucophaea. Within the booklet, each stamp design is featured twice. The Wild Orchids stamps will be issued with 10 stamp designs in booklets of 20 and coils of 3,000 and 10,000.

The stamp dedication ceremony is free and open to the public. News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtags #OrchidStamps and #FlowerStamps.

Who:

Jakki Krage Strako, U.S. Postal Service chief customer and marketing officer and executive vice president

When:

Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, 11 a.m. EST

Where:

The American Orchid Society Library at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road
Coral Gables, FL 33156

RSVP:

Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/wildorchids.

Background:

Orchids are beloved by plant experts and casual flower lovers alike for their gorgeous colors, unusual look and delicate features.

Part of the largest family of plants on Earth, orchids grow in many climates and thrive under a variety of conditions. There are more than 30,000 species of wild orchids in the world, with more than 100 species native to North America.

Many orchids native to North America are endangered or threatened, making sightings in their natural environment increasingly rare. These striking flowers are native to damp woodlands and numerous organizations across the country are working to preserve their habitats. Orchids also thrive in cultivated gardens or as houseplants.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through The Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.