Ronald Reagan

“ Because mail carriers are in a unique position to be able to spot this kind of trouble quickly, the "Carrier Alert" program provides an effective and valuable service to the community. Participation in the program is entirely voluntary and costs nothing to postal customers. Since the inception of the "Carrier Alert" program in 1982, numerous press accounts around the country have documented instances in which the program has saved the lives or eased the sufferings of elderly or disabled people who would have been left to languish alone in their pain but for a carrier's concern. ”

“ When no one is left to check in on these individuals on a regular basis, illness or injury may go undetected until more serious consequences-even death-may result.
The United States Postal Service and the National Association of Letter Carriers are doing something to alleviate this problem. In growing numbers of towns and cities all across America, they are involved in a program called "Carrier Alert" in which mail carriers monitor the mailboxes of participating residents for unusual accumulations of mail which may signal distress. ”

“ By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
A major problem faced by our Nation's elderly and homebound is isolation. For many, friends and spouses have died, and families have moved away. ”