09/21/2026
Once upon a time I was a postmaster, up until 2013. I was at Anderson Post Office for over 20 years and loved my job there. I loved the USPS people there and I loved, loved, loved (and still do!) the community. Then, the USPS restructured. All us small-office postmasters were left to find a large office, stay where we were at reduced hours & pay, or leave the USPS. In other words, move up, move out, or move on. They USPS didn't care. I had to find a larger office since I wasn't eligible for retirement yet. I was really, really upset about leaving Anderson. Fortunately, I was able to spend my last year at the post office with a great group of amazing people at Trinity, AL. The employees there put up a challenge to me a few months after arriving:
Could they get me to wear a pink tutu if they increased their FY Breast Cancer sales over last FY? (Last FY, before I got there, had only sold 1 sheet of Breast Cancer stamps which was $55.) I wasn't falling for that! That was no challenge! So, I said I would do that if they sold $1000 IN ONE MONTH. What did they say? "Challenge accepted."
I thought there was NO WAY they could do that in 1 month since they had only sold $55 in ONE YEAR. After a week, Tina (super clerk) came into my office and said, "Will you add pink wings if we make it to $2000?" I laughed and said, "sure."
Then, next week, she came in and asked "Can we paint your hair pink and do your make-up if we do $3000?" I looked at her suspiciously and asked, "You do know this challenge is only for the month of October, right?" She nodded. I shrugged and agreed.
Well, that team of employees not only beat the original goal of $1000 but blew right past it. They increased those sales 6000% (yes, that is the correct number) IN ONE MONTH! Not only did they get me to do that ridiculous get-up, but they got the safety manager and my boss to participate!
We let the employees doll us up and we had to stand out at the road in front of the post office and wave at people.
It just goes to prove: never underestimate extraordinary employees with a determination to do something silly to their boss!