By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
Employees of the U.S. Postal Service San Benito branch were recently made to feel that their duties and efforts were not unnoticed.
In fact, on Friday, May 29, they were recognized by the Rotary Club of San Benito for their continued contributions to their community and to society at large during challenging times.
It was a morning event that was handled swiftly, as the mail service can be, before dozens of workers began their workday.
The Rotary event was held as part of its “Hometown Heroes” initiative, said Rolando Monsevalles, president of the Rotary Club of San Benito.
The Rotary Club acknowledged the USPS’s impact on the city when essential workers were in need at the beginning of the decade.
“The COVID years and their aftermath have created many challenges and left lingering stress on our community. You, like many other silent San Benito heroes, give of yourselves in service to this community, through circumstances of demonstrated need, such as COVID and natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, unusual climate change, and other unforeseen issues that present difficult times for our residents,” Rotary President Monsevalles said. “The Rotary Club celebrates and respects the dignity of your work, your dedication to service, and the key role that each of you plays in connecting our community with the larger world around us.”
Postmaster Adam Armenta said he has 62 employees at the San Benito branch.
He applauded Rotary’s efforts, and the recognition went a long way.
“It was great honoring our mail carriers because they work through the rain. In fact, we had some of the other day, and it’s going to be in the 90s today,” Postmaster Armenta said. “I’ve been with USPS for 20 years, so I know the challenges it brings.”
Each USPS employee received a meal discount card to use at one of nine local businesses.
Monsevalles said the nine San Benito restaurants that were supporting the effort are: El Gallito Mexican Restaurant, El Fogon Mexican Restaurant, La Chiapaneca, SB Wings, Noe’s Mexican Restaurant, Reach for The Sky Bake Shop, Gigi’s Wing Shack, Piccola Italia, and La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant.
The meal cards could be presented at these businesses from June 1 through Sept. 1.