CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - In this world of text messaging and self-checkout lanes, face-to-face interactions still go a long way. Just ask Laura Winston, who works at the Carmichael Post Office. Through the completion of her daily job combined with a friendly attitude, Winston was awarded a commendation from the postal service last year and continues to win over her customers.

Rae Cavana, who has held the same P.O. box for 35 years at the Carmichael Post Office, is well acquainted with many of the employees at that location. Last year, coming off of a major surgery, Cavana stopped into the post office to retrieve a month’s worth of mail she was unable to get due to her health issues. Knowing her physical limitations post-op, she did not bring her P.O box key, as she would be unable to reach the box. Instead, she asked the postal worker behind the counter to retrieve the mail for her.

“The postal worker at the counter did not recognize me,” Cavana said, “nor would she vouch for my identity when I requested she try to do so. I asked for supervisory staff, and a superior responded the same way.”

After being told she would be unable to retrieve her mail without paying a $14.00 key replacement fee, she began to experience significant physical pain and was about to give up on getting her mail through any help from the workers. Then, Laura Winston stepped in from the neighboring counter.

“She said, ‘Rae, I’ve got your mail for you,” Cavana recalls, “She gently instructed me to meet her at my box. I was rejuvenated by this hopeful interaction.”

So rejuvenated, in fact, that Cavana went on to write an email to the United States Postmaster General, the highest postal authority in the country. When she only received a form response from a Postmaster admin, she tried again – this time locally. In August of 2022, Winston received a Certificate of Appreciation from the local division of the Post Office.

With an email acknowledgement from the Postmaster General’s office and a regional award under her belt, Laura Winston continues to work at the Carmichael Post Office a year later, greeting customers with her friendly and helpful demeanor.

When asked about last summer’s interaction with Cavana, Winston recalls it well, “She always comes in with a smile and a story to tell. She lightens up the day. This particular day she was not smiling or talking much, and I could tell she was not feeling well. I just wanted to help make her day a little better and was just being nice like usual. I take pride in taking care of my customers.”

Winston has worked for the postal service for seven years and plans to stick around for many years to come.

“Working with the general public can be difficult but it’s not difficult to just be nice,” Winston said, “You never know anyone’s story and why they’re having a hard day. I’ve heard many customers tell me that I helped make their day just a little better. It feels good for people to come in the post office waiting to see their favorite clerk.”

Next time you are inside of the Carmichael Post Office and you see Laura Winston or one of her co-workers, consider remembering Rae Cavana’s story and greet these hard workers with a smile.