Oxford Postal Clerk Lisa Haley has a Christmas mission to deliver gifts and joy to customers of all ages. Submitted photo
OXFORD — One of Santa’s most dedicated helpers in Oxford is ready to greet patrons of the post office – young and old – with their Christmas gifts.
Lisa Haley, lead clerk at the Pleasant Street office, has made delivering holiday cheer with gifts and goodies to customers for the last seven years, first in West Poland and for the last three years in Oxford.
“Every year, Lisa decorates the office for Christmas,” said Postmistress Nicole Camfferman. “All year long she is buying for the kids.
“On Dec. 18, she will start handing out gifts. Everyone gets a present.”
Haley has been doing this every year since starting with the Oxford post office nine years ago, and she brought the tradition with her from Poland, from where she transferred.
“She’s pretty great,” Camfferman said. “She loves seeing all the little kids.
Haley says her sense of Christmas spirit comes from her family. She was inspired by her father, who was an annual supporter of giving through organizations like Toys for Tots in Vermont, where she grew up.
So every year in December she makes sure that all patrons who come into the post office leave with a Christmas gift and holiday cheer.
“I really enjoy it,” she told the Advertiser Democrat. “It brings joy to my heart. No matter the age of the people who come in, it’s about seeing them smile.”
Among the decorations Haley uses at the post office includes a little Christmas tree that her mémé gave her years ago.
Her gift-giving has started up for adults. She distributes homemade as well as purchased gifts. She said so far this season about 20 adults have received knit slippers, afghan throws, bath salts and baking kit sets that include the ingredients.
Gifts for kids will be passed out starting Monday. Haley has 75 coloring books and packs of crayons, as well as boxes of colored pencils, soduko games, remote controlled cars, infant blankets, baby rattles and a few other things.
“I try to buy locally for things,” she said. She shops at crafts fairs and independent shops for much of the gifts.
“It’s amazing to see. “I love watching the kids as they grow. I love each one, and each one has their own talents.”
Camfferman has worked for USPS offices in Augusta, Livermore Falls, Turner, Greene, New Gloucester. She says she has not seen anyone dedicate their own time and money the way that Haley does.
“And I haven’t seen the community respond the way they do here,” she said. “It’s great to see the customer interaction, it’s been very nice.”
“I am blessed to have this job,” Haley said. “I love what I do. I have relationships with the kids, and their parents, too.”
The friendships Haley has with her customers are year-round, just as her gift-giving isn’t limited to the holidays. She said the kids love finding yellow tickets in their mailboxes at the post office, bringing them to her to exchange for larger packages, along with candy she keeps at the counter.
“It’s hard for me to explain how much joy I get here,” she said. “It just melts my heart.”
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