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They bring your mail each day, teach your child long division and protect your neighborhood. If these people are on your Christmas shopping list but you aren’t sure what to buy, several have offered ideas and hints.
Giving gifts to public servants like police officers, town or city employees and others do come with some regulations. Ethics laws state there must be a $20 limit on gifts, and not all agencies accept monetary presents.
There are still several ways you can say “thank you” to those people who make daily life run smoothly.
Harry Spratlin, South Carolina spokesperson with the U.S. Postal Service, said giving gifts to postal workers is welcome but said the $20 limit should be observed. He discouraged cash gifts and instead suggested baked goods or a small gift card.
“A box of cookies or something of that nature is best,” he said.
Since mail deliverers are used to just retrieving outgoing mail, Spratlin said many miss that an envelope or package is addressed to them. He encouraged people to meet their postal carrier at the mailbox to hand deliver a gift or leave a large note on top of their stack of mail to make the person aware.
“And put your return address on it in case it’s missed,” Spratlin added.
People are also more than welcome to bring a Christmas gift to their local police department, fire station or town hall. Officials suggest something for people to snack on during their shift.
“We accept cookies, cakes any type of food items,” said Lexington Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Matt Davis. “No money, gift cards or presents are allowed.”
West Columbia City Clerk and Public Information Officer Mardi Valentino said people can make a larger contribution to West Columbia police by way of the West Columbia Police Officers Foundation. Established in 2008, the nonprofit raises funds for departmental needs such as new body armor that the budget cannot provide along with assisting officers who are injured, have a long-term illness or lose possessions in a fire.
The Lexington Police Department has a similar program, Adopt-a-Cop. Cayce citizens can help enhance their community by donating to the Cayce Beautification Foundation, which gathers funds to improve signage, landscaping and other green space projects.
Valentino said a simpler show of appreciation is also a good idea this time of year.
“Even sending a card is great. Let the employees know that you acknowledge what they do is important,” she said.
Many parents also are buying gifts to show their appreciation for those who spend hours with their children each week at school. Teachers agreed they’d enjoy something just for themselves but that they also like to shop for items for their classroom and students.
“We like gift cards to places like Educational Wonderland, Starbucks, Wal-Mart, Chick-fil-A, Office Depot and any school supply donations,” said Stephanie Walker, theater teacher at Saluda River Academy for the Arts.
“Gift cards are great because they’re dispensable and can be spent on anything,” said Andrea Baker, instructor with Seven Oaks Elementary’s Media Magnet program.
Mary Wyatt, Seven Oaks Elementary instructional assistant and public information officer, also suggested iTunes cards and massage certificate to help teachers relax over Christmas break.
“We also like anything hand made by students,” Walker added.
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on December 19, 2013. Filed under Hometown.
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