Irwinville wants to keep its Post Office

Because the U.S. Postal service is losing billions of dollars a year, Post Offices around the country are in danger of closing, including the one in Irwinville.

To some people, this small post office, may not seem like a big deal but a group of concerned citizens in the community says its a huge deal, and they're willing to do whatever it takes to make sure it stays opened.

This building may not look like much to a passerby, it is just a family oriented place. But to this community, the Irwinville post office is the lifeline of the community.

"This is part of the community,this is our identity, Its more than just a place where you exchange mail," said Brenda McIntyer.

Its a place where old friends catch up and a place where those who need assistance reading or writing,can get help. "I know one lady who cannot address her bills,and that's a service provided by here by the post office," said Dee Brown.

Since there is no public library in town, its also a place where people can go find a new book. "We bring our books and other people are able to share," said Brown.

But sadly, this post office is one in danger of closing. "If you take the post office from Irwinville it's kind of like taking a limb from the body," said Sonny Pate.

The Postal service is facing financial challenges because of the economy,but this group says closing this post office would be losing a major part of history. "Irwinville was a county seat established in 1818 and we've had mail service since then," said Jackie Benson.

The building sits next to the historic Jeff Davis Park, and provides a spot for folks to mail from a historic landmark. But without a post office in town, this group says it would put a hardship on the senior citizens and others who walk to the post office everyday.

"They would put us on a rural route,and in order to mail packages and buy stamps we would have to go out of town to another post office," said Benson.

Residents are hoping the post office can be saved and they will do all they can to make it happen.

According to postal officials there have been no closures yet this year in Georgia.

Friday the group will meet with postal officials at 6:30 at the community building. They encourage anyone to come, because they want to show that Irwinville cares about their post office.

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