Fresno State’s Mail Center may be hidden away from the center of campus, but it is bringing something very unique to the student community, a place that utilizes the help of volunteers who have special needs.
The center, located near the corner of Woodrow and Barstow Avenues, has fulfilled the university’s mail needs for more than 15 years.
“All of the mail from across the world that is coming to Fresno State has to go through us,” said mail clerk Zafar Sumler. “We distribute all of the mail to every campus department on a weekly basis.”
Operations are carried out by California State employees, student workers and by Fresno County work program volunteers.
“The volunteers that are sent to us are a blessing,” Sumler said. I have been working with co-workers that are dealing with autism and other special needs for years, and they have become like family to me. It has been truly rewarding to work with these volunteers.”
The Mail Center is one of the only departments on campus that works together with individuals dealing with autism or other mental disabilities.
“These volunteers are not disabled in any way,” Sumler said. “They do not let anything stop them from doing their best, and they will always be found working with smiles on their faces. They do not know how to quit, and I would say that they work as hard if not more than any of us here at the center.”
Budget cuts on campus have become a hindrance for the center with outdated equipment, increasing the reliance on the aid of these volunteers.
\
“The Mail Center used to be invited to conferences on new and innovative mailing systems in Las Vegas and Anaheim, but now we can’t go because of the budget cuts,” said mail clerk Thai Vang.
Billy Faught has been volunteering at the Mail Center for the last 10 years. Faught has autism, but he has become one of the most essential workers at the mail office.
“Billy is the best person to work with. He can remember everything from how to spell your name down to what you had for lunch that day,” Sumler said.
“I have fun here,” Faught said with a smile.
Volunteers and student workers are in charge of sorting the university’s received mail and making sure that the center is operational for daily use.
“It does not seem like that many people really think of the mail department, but imagine if one post office employee was in charge of delivering all of the mail for the campus, [you] would not get mail for over a week,” Sumler said.
Working together as a team is a high priority for the center. It receives help from new volunteers on a weekly basis from Fresno County.
“I think all of our departments should have programs that involve either students or volunteers with special needs,” said criminology major Melanie Amador. “They should be allowed to become more involved in the campus activities as well. I believe that they would become more comfortable around their peers and that they would feel more like a part of the student community.”
Faculty, students and thepublic are allowed to bring mail packages to the office for shipment. The center can be reached during normal business hours at (559) 278-2941.