As the postmaster for 01340, I want to assure you that the U.S. Postal Service is primed and ready to deliver exceptional service during the 2024 holiday rush. Thanks to the substantial progress USPS has made under the Delivering for America plan — a $40 billion investment aimed at revitalizing the national postal network — our operational, transportation and delivery processes have never been more finely tuned. My dedicated team and I are fully prepared to once again handle the peak holiday season surge.

As you and your family prepare for the holidays, it’s always a good idea to ship it early! We encourage everyone to send their holiday mail and packages well in advance to ensure they reach their destinations on time, but we understand that sometimes cards or packages are sent last minute. This year, our recommended send-by dates for expected holiday delivery within the continental U.S. before Dec. 25 are:

■Dec. 18: USPS Ground Advantage service; First Class Mail service.

■Dec. 19: Priority Mail service.

■Dec. 21: Priority Mail Express service.

For a complete list of recommended holiday mailing and shipping dates, please visit usps.com/holiday shipping dates. And remember: The earlier you send, the better — ship it early! We are honored and grateful for your trust in the U.S. Postal Service. Your postal team at the Colrain Post Office is proud to be the most affordable, reliable way to send cheer this holiday season, and we’re ready to deliver exceptional service during the holidays and beyond.

Maria McGovern

Colrain Post Office, Colrain