Santa's Helpers: Kadena postal workers gear up for holiday surge

Akari Yamashiro, a post office holiday hire, processes mail as it is offloaded from a mail truck Nov. 23. During most of the year, postal workers here process roughly 150 packages daily, but during the next month over the holidays, postal workers typically process more than 500 packages daily. Beginning Nov. 30, the postal service center staff will need more volunteers to help with holiday season mail surge through Dec. 24. Call 634-4240 for more information on volunteer requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Lake)

Santa's Helpers: Kadena postal workers gear up for holiday surge

Staff Sgt. William Gentry, 18th Communications Squadron postal clerk, unloads hundreds of packages from a mail truck Nov. 23. Beginning Nov. 30, the postal service center staff will need more volunteers to help with holiday season mail surge through Dec. 24. Call 634-4240 for more information on volunteer requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Lake)

Santa's Helpers: Kadena postal workers gear up for holiday surge

Army Private 1st Class Juan Gomez, C1-1 Air Defense Artillery, sifts through a mail basket to retreive a customer's package Nov. 23. PFC Gomez is one of several soldiers who volunteer at postal service center 80 during the holiday season. Beginning Nov. 30, the postal service center staff will need more volunteers to help with holiday season mail surge through Dec. 24. Call 634-4240 for more information on volunteer requirements. (U. S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Lake)

Santa's Helpers: Kadena postal workers gear up for holiday surge

Senior Airman Caren Kellam, 18th Communications Squadron postal clerk, adds mail to a Postal Service Center 80 mailbox Nov. 23. Throughout most of the year, postal workers here typically process approximately 150 packages daily, but over the upcoming holiday season, postal workers process more than 500 packages daily. Beginning Nov. 30, the postal service center staff will need more volunteers to help with holiday season mail surge through Dec. 24. Call 634-4240 for more information on volunteer requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Lake)

Santa’s Helpers: Kadena postal workers gear up for holiday surge

Published Nov. 23, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Santa's not the only one swamped with gifts this holiday season: the post office has a dedicated team of their own 'elves' working hard to ensure that all Kadena families are able to send and receive holiday gifts.

"Every holiday season, the post office relies on 150 to 300 volunteers to help with the additional mail," said Master Sgt. Bryan Barlow, 18th Communications Squadron assistant postmaster. "As we get closer to the deadlines, the volume increases."

The post office typically processes 150 packages a day during non-holiday seasons. When the holidays come around, they see an increase of 500-600 packages daily. With all these extra packages to process, they definitely need the extra hands. Fortunately, there are those willing to help.

"I enjoy working alongside Air Force members and Okinawans," said Spc. Joey Barrow, a member of the Army's 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Battalion and a post office volunteer.

With the holidays just around the corner, the specialist wanted to do his part to help the post office keep pace with holiday packages coming in and going out.

There are several things for post office patrons to remember amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

According to Sergeant Barlow, those who want their gifts to arrive stateside in time for Christmas must adhere to the following deadlines: Space Available Mail - Nov. 25; First Class and Priority Mail - Dec. 3; Express Mail - Dec.14.

He added that the post office will be open Mondays from now until Dec. 24 to facilitate holiday mailings. The post office's hours remain the same: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The post office would like to inform its customers that outgoing parcels are limited to 70 pounds. Additionally, Priority Mail is limited to 108 inches in circumference and in length, while Space Available Mail is limited to 130 inches.

There are certain items that must not be mailed. These include decorative swords, alcohol, animals, plants, fruits and any counterfeit items, such as non-trademarked purses.

To prevent mail backup, Kadena Post Office officials encourage patrons to check their mail frequently during the holiday season.