A multi-purpose light is disclosed. The multi-purpose light includes a housing, an illumination mechanism provided in the housing for illuminating the mailbox interior and a switch provided on the housing for reversibly activating the illumination mechanism. Aa pivot contact having a generally cylindrical pivot portion is rotatably mounted in the housing and engaged by the switch. A contact extension extends from the pivot portion. The switch is moveable between a first position wherein the contact extension disengages the illumination mechanism and the illumination mechanism is extinguished, and a second position wherein the pivot contact rotates in the housing and the contact extension engages the illumination mechanism to activate the illumination mechanism. An activation clip embodiment of the multi-purpose light is also disclosed.