Holiday tip: Thank your carrier

It's the season of giving, and there is no shortage of worthy targets for your generosity.

We'd like to recommend one who's on your front porch.

That's your newspaper carrier, a person who visits your home every single day of the year, yet somebody you might never have met or even seen.

That's because carriers bring your Press when it's still dark outside. They deliver no matter what nastiness Ma Nature musters, or what other conditions of adversity confront them, from sick children to sick cars.

Not only does your carrier deliver your paper faithfully each day, but she or he keeps an eye out for your property, too. Police and sheriff's deputies frequently laud the efforts of newspaper carriers not just as deterrents to bad guys, but sometimes even case solvers.

We know you have limited funds and an almost unlimited number of ways to spend them. Please consider rewarding someone who works extremely hard for you every single day.

In all likelihood, your carrier holds another job and delivers papers to augment family income. Because carriers are independent contractors, they are paid only on the number of pieces they deliver. Expenses like car upkeep and gas are their responsibility. In other words, a route is a good way to make extra money, but nobody is getting rich off delivering newspapers.

We received word last week of a very generous woman who tipped her Press carrier $200. We also know carriers greatly appreciate much smaller tips, knowing many of their customers simply can't afford more.

Please, do what you can to tell your carrier how much you appreciate him or her. If you don't know how to get the money to your carrier, just call us at 664-0220 and we'll happily help you out.