Canada Post is famous for delivering people's gifts during the holiday season - although they aren't usually their own. But residents of a College Heights neighbourhood are grateful this week for a "gift" from the federal postal service.
After almost 10 years of constant frustration from vandals tipping over a community mailbox, Canada Post gave them good news just in time for Christmas.
"We've done some checking about this location and it seems it has been subjected to a few tippings," said Canada Post spokeswoman Anick Losier on Friday, a day after a story ran in The Citizen quoting a resident as saying at least 100 tippings have occurred.
"As a result, we'll be securing those boxes permanently before the end of January to ensure it doesn't happen in the future."
According to John Joynson, a 10-year resident of the area of O'Grady Road and Marleau Road, those community mailboxes had been toppled over by vandals a couple of times a month for almost his entire duration there.
Joynson said other community mailboxes around the area were already anchored. He said he's thrilled a permanent solution is in the works.
"I am really pleased with that, really," Joynson said of Canada Post's pledge. "That is really something."
The two heavy boxes of grouped mail lockers had to be lifted back into place from flat on their side to put right. Sometimes it was a Canada Post employee (not the mail carriers) who did the lifting, but often it was a neighbour or two who just wanted to get their mail.
After his initial surprise, Joynson said he would reserve judgment until the work was done.
"I am from Missouri so I'll believe it when I see it," said Joynson, referring to the state motto The Show-Me State.
"I'm very skeptical because of the timeline it has taken - nine and a half years - but I sincerely hope they will do it and I will appreciate that very much."
Losier said the tipping had happened "a few too many times, unfortunately" but conveyed that "our goal is to ensure good mail service to our customers and this is why we'll be working to permanently affix this community mailbox before the end of January, weather permitting."
