By Anne Murray, Postmaster Ft Myers/Cape Coral

Aaaah! Although the calendar says winter has just begun, spring isn’t far around the corner. And with spring, comes the inevitable spring house cleaning. There’s also something outside the home that might need attention–your mailbox! Does it reflect a positive image of your home or is it an eyesore to the community? Mailbox Improvement Month isn’t until May, but the Fort Myers/Cape Coral Post Offices are holding an “Extreme Makeover Mailbox” contest in preparation for the month.
Check out your mailbox and see if it needs a face lift? If so, make your plans now to spiff it up and enter the contest. The rules are simple:
· Take a photo of the existing mailbox that needs a makeover.
· Make the changes you desire and take a photo of the new, spiffy mailbox.
· Mail both photos, along with your name, address, and phone number to USPS Consumer Council, 79 Mid Cape Terr., Cape Coral, FL 33991.
· Entries will be accepted between March 1 and March 31.
The Fort Myers/Cape Coral Consumer Advisory Council will judge the entries for creativity and compliance with postal regulations. Two winners will be announced on April 16 — one each from Fort Myers and Cape Coral. The winning photos will be on display in the Page Field and Cape Coral Central Post Offices during May. The winning mailboxes will be featured on postage stamps and the owners will receive two sheets of First-Class mail customized postage stamps.
The mailboxes must be approved traditional, contemporary, or locked full/limited service curbside mailboxes. A customer may use a custom-built curbside mailbox if the postmaster gives prior approval and the mailbox conforms generally to the same requirements as approved manufactured curbside mailboxes relative to the flag, size, strength, and quality of construction. The mailbox must display the house number on the side of single mailboxes or on the door of grouped mailboxes.
Generally, mailboxes should be installed at a height of 41-45 inches from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox or point of mail entry. Mailboxes are set back 6-8 inches from the front face of the curb or road edge to the mailbox door. Customers must place mailboxes on motorized city, rural, and contract delivery service routes so a carrier can safely and conveniently serve them without leaving his or her vehicle. The Postal Service does not regulate mailbox supports in any way except for purposes of carrier safety and delivery efficiency.
Make your plans now to participate in the “Extreme Makeover Mailbox” contest. Both you and your neighbors will be pleased–whether you win the contest or not!