In July 1982, the United States Postal Service and the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) launched Carrier Alert, a joint effort to partner with local social service agencies across the country to offer a measure of security for one of the most vulnerable segments of our society—homebound citizens.

During its 25-year history, Carrier Alert has leveraged letter carriers’ unique daily presence in America’s communities to keep a watchful eye on elderly, infirm and disabled citizens. The value of the program has been repeatedly demonstrated as alert letter carriers have helped thousands of these citizens receive assistance. In many cases, their actions have literally saved lives.

The all-volunteer Carrier Alert program is a natural extension of the role letter carriers and the Postal Service play in America’s neighborhoods. Together, the Postal Service and letter carriers are committed to serving the people and communities in ways that go beyond simply delivering the mail. We show how deeply we care for the communities we serve.

As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Carrier Alert, we encourage all NALC branch leaders
and local postmasters to recommit themselves to working with local social service agencies to support the program and to extend its reach to those who most need the peace of mind it offers.

The U.S. Postal Service and the National Association of Letter Carriers, recognizing our unique presence in America's neighborhoods and further recognizing the needs of a special segment of postal customers--the homebound, the elderly, and the handicapped--hereby resolve to encourage joint support to local community social service agencies in a program called Carrier Alert.

Under Carrier Alert, the local sponsoring social service agency notifies the local post office of customers who wish to participate in the program. The customer's letter carrier, in performing his or her daily rounds, will be alert to an accumulation of mail which might signify a sudden illness or accident.

Through locally developed procedures, the accumulation of mail will be reported to the social service agency for appropriate follow-up.

Carrier Alert, an all volunteer program, is a natural extension of the care which individual letter carriers traditionally have exhibited for their customers--not just in the delivery of their mail- -but in a genuine concern for their well-being. It has been customary for letter carriers to show particular consideration for customers on their routes whose health or advanced age required a little extra special attention.

Local leaders of the National Association of Letter Carriers and local postmasters are encouraged to work together in developing a plan of action to support Carrier Alert efforts.

The following organizations have demonstrated their volunteer spirit and willingness to make the Carrier Alert program a success:

• National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO
  
  
• The United Way
  
  
• United States Postal Service
  
  
• American Red Cross
  
  
• Area Agency on Aging