Thursday, December 22 marked the busiest day of 2016 for the United States Postal Service as an estimated more than 35 million packages were delivered across the U.S., and thousands were delivered here alone in Lubbock. However it’s something that local post offices say they prepare for well in advance.
“We talk about it all the time, we talk about it building up to it, we staff for it so that we’re properly staffed to get all these packages out,” said Steve Olguin, the postmaster of Lubbock. “Monday before Christmas is the busiest mailing day, and then Thursday is the busiest delivery day. So, we know it’s coming. We just get ready for it.”
In a press release by the United States Postal Service, Megan Brennan, Postmaster General CEO shared that the number of deliveries is increasing each year.
“We’re seeing 12 percent growth in package volume over last year,” said Brennan. “This shows customers are increasingly counting on the Postal Service to deliver during the holidays.”
And if you’re still waiting on that package to arrive, there’s a good chance you may get it right on Christmas morning thanks to your local USPS. For two years, the Lubbock postal service has been making deliveries on Christmas day to ensure as many gifts are delivered as possible.
“We’re closed Monday, but of course we will be delivering packages on Christmas day so to capture those late arriving packages as many as we can, make as many people as happy as we can,” said Olguin.
Although a very hectic day, mail carriers say it’s as rewarding and fun as it is busy.
“You know like Jesus said there’s more happiness in giving than receiving, so you do feel that sense of happiness when you’re helping your community serving your community one way or another in this case the post office so yes it does make me happy,” said Joe Chavez, who has been working with the postal service for 32 years.
“When you take them the parcel they’re happy to see me. They’re expecting something to either give or something that’s being given to them.”
Chavez said he expected to make approximately 700 deliveries on Thursday, and would even assist other carriers on their routes if needed.
The USPS remains on track to meet projection of more than 16 billion total pieces of mail and packages to be delivered by New Year’s Eve.