By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

Kenansville residents rallied in April to save their post office and were rewarded for their efforts.

The United States Postal Service confirmed to Osceola County officials last week the post office, which has roots since 1892, will remain open at least another year.

“We got a reprieve,” Myra McWhorter, president of the Kenansville Community Association, said, adding that residents will be better prepared next year should the branch land on the postal service's closing list again. “We know our turnout made a difference.”

Nearly 150 people met Postal Service officials at the Kenansville post office, at 140 N. Kenansville Road, April 12 to support the branch. The government agency is closing hundreds of offices across the country in an effort to save money as it faces huge operating deficits.

In addition to resident support, the Postal Service took into consideration the minimum 74-mile round-trip Kenansville residents would have to drive to reach the St. Cloud post office branch.

County Commissioner Fred Hawkins Jr. commended the collaboration between residents and government, with help from federal officials in Washington, D.C.

“This just proves Kenansville is a sound community and they work together,” Hawkins said. “When it comes to Kenansville, they come out in force.”