HELPING CUSTOMERS HELPS US. USPS teamwork helped a customer and helped us keep that customer's business. Tyrol International is a cataloger that sells European collectibles, and a longtime USPS customer in Georgia. But recent Priority Mail rate increases had the company exploring other options. Originally, Tyrol shipped 80% of its merchandise via Priority Mail, with the rest shipped UPS Ground. As Priority Mail rates increased, our chunk of Tyrol's shipping business dropped to 60%, and UPS picked up the other 20%.

Recently, Tyrol was in talks with another shipper to switch from Priority Mail to its service. Then, USPS stepped in with an option: consolidators. They're mailers who combine shipments from various customers and then drop packages deeper into the mailstream to take advantage of discounted rates. These USPS partners offer highly competitive rates.

Tyrol chose USPS partner Parcel Direct to consolidate its mailings - 165,000 packages annually. Not only did USPS retain the 60% of Tyrol's shipping business, it gained a sizeable chunk of the other 40% of Tyrol's business. Teamwork paid dividends for USPS and for its customers.

MONEY FOR CHARITY. USPS continues to provide money to federal agencies through the sale of semi-postal stamps for Breast Cancer Research and the Heroes of 2001, which go to the families of those killed or disabled due to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Through Nov. 1, sales of the Breast Cancer Research stamp total 412.2 million stamps for $166.9 million in sales. The net proceeds for Breast Cancer Research now total $28.8 million.

Sales of the Heroes of 2001 stamp total 65.5 million stamps through Nov. 1, for $29.5 million in total revenue. Net proceeds for the families are $5.5 million.

HOLIDAY HAZMAT. 'Tis the season ... to make this the safest and most successful holiday season ever. Customers rely heavily on the Postal Service to deliver their gifts safely and efficiently to friends, business associates and loved ones during this season, and also to return packages after the holidays. Customers also need to be aware that certain items — like beer, wine, liquor, sparklers, fireworks — are nonmailable. And it's always a good idea to remove batteries from products before shipping. Customers can ask at their local post offices for more advice on holiday shipping rules and regulations, along with packaging supplies and advice.