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News
What’s happening on social media
V
arious news stories and inter- Hochhalter won’t forget the people
esting anecdotes that celebrate he’s served over the past two decades,
letter carriers and the mail have though: “I’ll still go visit my custom-
been flying around social media. The ers. I’ll still stay in contact with them.”
following are some that have come
to the union’s attention. If you come Longtime pen pals
across a story you’d like us to consider co-author book
featuring, send it to social@nalc.org. After writing a bestselling book
about their friendship, two longtime
Idaho carrier joins pen pals, Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin
last punch bunch Ganda, have started a virtual tour to
After being on the job for more than teach students across the United States
23 years, Brett Hochhalter of Pocatello, about the value of letter writing and
ID Branch 927—known for going out of mail.
his way to help people—retired on July “My heart is so unbelievably happy
28 to much fanfare from his patrons. going to schools and talking to young
“It’s been nice. It’s been real,” adults,” Alifirenka told USPS Link.
Hochhalter told the Idaho State Jour- The co-authors of “I Will Always Write
nal. “I’ve enjoyed it; being a mailman Back” routinely talk to school groups—
is pretty cool.” both virtually and in person—where they ing $20 of her baby-sitting earnings.
The carrier has gotten to know his explain how one letter in 1997 started Touched, Ganda wrote back, saying
customers as he walks eight miles a day their decades-long friendship. that was “more money than my father
to deliver mail. Indeed, about 80 per- That year, 12-year-old Alifirenka from made in several months” and that it
cent of his customers have his phone Pennsylvania was matched with Ganda, had allowed him to re-enroll.
number and will call him when they’re a 14-year-old student in Zimbabwe, dur- “I always tell people: We’re so fortu-
going on vacation and need him to hold ing a classroom pen-pal project. nate to have the opportunity to get our
their mail, Hochhalter said. Her letters shared stories about typi- mail,” Alifirenka told USPS Link. “I’m
The Air Force veteran also has been cal American teenage experiences and grateful to our mail carriers in the U.S.
known to shovel snow for households her middle-class life. His letters, while that we can rely on them and know the
in need of assistance outside of his optimistic, told of his life in poverty as mail is coming, which is something we
work hours. (See the January 2020 he and his family lived with another take for granted,” she said.
Postal Record.) family in a one-room home. That wasn’t the case for Ganda. In
“Everybody should try to be nice to Though they led different lives, the Zimbabwe, customers must pay to
people,” Hochhalter said. two students bonded through their let- both send and receive cards, letters
And Hochhalter’s customers return ters, in which they regularly signed off and packages.
the favor, sometimes leaving water, with the promise “I will always write Alifirenka now works as an emergen-
chips, candy bars, cookies and thank- back.” cy room nurse outside Philadelphia,
you notes out for him to pick up on the Indeed, between one letter ex- and Ganda lives in New York City and
rounds. change, Alifirenka got concerned runs his own non-profit foundation
The carrier owns a local roofing that she hadn’t heard from Ganda in to help impoverished students in his
company, which provides a free roof a while. She eventually received a hometown in Zimbabwe.
for someone in need each year and discarded ice-cream wrapper from him During their appearances, the two
volunteers to roof houses for Habitat because paper had become too pricey. friends emphasize the message that
for Humanity. After his postal retire- He told her that he had to leave school kindness is contagious.
ment, he’s looking forward to focusing because his family couldn’t afford the “I’d like to thank everyone who
on that business more. fees. Alifirenka responded by send- shares and supports our story,” said
20 The Postal Record October 2021
Ganda. “Helping us share our mes- It was clear that Russell made a man for ’80s new wave band DEVO)
sage of kindness can truly change difference in the lives of those on his was dismayed to hear anti-Postal Ser-
the world. One small act of kindness route on a daily basis. vice rhetoric.
makes big waves around the world.” “Over the 42 years that we have lived “We weren’t hearing anybody speak-
Many young adults have written in Alvarado Estates, we have appreci- ing up for the Post Office, so we said,
to the pair about feeling inspired to ated the work and dedication of all ‘Well dang it, we’re gonna do it,’ ”
contribute to those in need after read- our mailmen and women, but during Mothersbaugh told USPS Link.
ing their book. They always write them the last few years, Russell has stood So he and fellow artist-musician
back. out as our favorite,” Carolyn Housman Beatie Wolfe decided to create “Post-
“That is the greatest reward, know- told the newspaper group. “He is the cards for Democracy,” a collective
ing that kids have taken our message epitome of the mailman you can trust art project/show of solidarity that
and are doing small life-changing to deliver your mail through rain, sleet included a May to August exhibit at
things,” Alifirenka said. and snow. He drives up in that little Florida Southwestern State College’s
Rauschenberg Gallery.
truck or comes to the door with an
California carrier celebrated All that was required of participants
enormous grin on his face, a bounce to
with surprise retirement party was to create a postcard and send it
his step and a quick story and a laugh
After three decades on the job, San to the project’s address—and to buy a
that always puts a smile on my face.”
Diego, CA Branch 70 member Russell stamp in the process. Postcards were
For her part, Austin wrote, “He
then uploaded to the Postcards for De-
Jones is retiring. didn’t rush through our neighborhood,
mocracy website at postartfordemocracy.
In honor of the milestone, neigh- he became a part of it, and that’s why com and saved for possible use in the
bors on his longtime route planned a he will be remembered and missed by exhibit.
surprise party and parade in a park for all his friends in Alvarado Estates.” Tens of thousands of people sent
him on his last day in July.
submissions, which Wolfe and Moth-
“We have always appreciated his Art project supports USPS
ersbaugh then curated to create the
professional service and caring connec-
As he was recuperating from a near- exhibit.
tions with us, but even more so during
fatal case of COVID-19 last year, Mark Topics depicted included the impor-
the COVID-19 pandemic,” Karen Austin
Mothersbaugh (best known as front tance of the Postal Service, Black Lives
wrote on the website of the San Diego
Community Newspaper Group. “During
Mark Mothersbaugh
the pandemic, Russell became a lifeline (l) and Beatie Wolf go
for many by delivering medicines, through submissions for
needed supplies, Social Security and their art project to show
stimulus payments, and important cor- support for USPS.
respondence. … We felt fortunate to get
our mail and even luckier if we timed it
right to get it from him personally.”
To show appreciation, customers
included in the party a banner covered
in messages of thanks and well wishes.
“We stood with it, parade-style, along
a portion of the street lined with Amer-
ican flags and cheering residents,”
Austin said. “The USPS graciously
had another carrier finish the last few
streets of his route so that he could
stay with us for a little celebration.”
News
Social media (continued) The Postal Service has licensed its brand to
Kid Trax to make a ride-on vehicle.
Matter, climate change, feminism and California, where she’s had the same
much more. driving route for the past 14 years.
“We’ve both been very touched by “The truly remarkable achievement
all the contributions—the art, poems, by our Benicia Post Office carrier exem-
personal stories, sentiments,” Wolfe plifies how postal employees continue
said, adding that it can be viewed as a to deliver on the promise of delivering
“physical time capsule or portal in an their best every day with care, courtesy
increasingly digital age.” and concern for the safety of others,”
“The Postal Service delivers tangible District Manager Mike Mirides told lo-
objects, not meaningless emojis,” cal NBC news affiliate KNTV-TV.
Mothersbaugh said.
Mothersbaugh has always loved USPS licenses new kids’ toys
postcards. “I first started mailing and The Postal Service and toymaker
sending postcards in the form of art Kid Trax have created a licensed USPS
back in the late ’60s,” he said, elabo- ride-on vehicle for youngsters.
rating that he was inspired by Dadaists The mini mail delivery truck, aimed
who required their art to be transferred at kids ages 3 to 5, is available for
physically by mail. purchase through Amazon and the Kid for purchase at usps.com, that will be
In fact, “I used to want to deliver Trax website. shipped through the Postal Service.
mail as a kid,” he said. “But that was “It will be a great learning tool for The vehicle has been submitted
before I discovered The Beatles.” kids to have fun, use their imagination for this fall’s annual Toy of the Year
Mothersbaugh has immense ap- and connect with the Postal Service Awards, described as the Oscars of the
preciation for postal workers. “There’s employees who visit their home every toy industry.
a sense of security and connectedness day to deliver their mail and pack- Aside from the honor of a nomina-
that comes from seeing a postal worker ages,” Amity Kirby, the USPS licensing tion, Kirby said that the new product
making their rounds and keeping us manager, told USPS Link. “It is also an is a “really positive brand story for the
all a part of the bigger picture,” he ideal gift for employees and retirees organization and a really great way for
said. to purchase for the children in their us to reach a generation of kids.”
lives.”
Clocking in at 1 million The Postal Service’s release of the
Son of ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighbor-
accident-free miles vehicle comes amid the widespread
hood’ mail carrier a carrier IRL
After driving the equivalent of about appreciation that customers of all ages Do you remember Mr. McFeely,
two round trips to the moon without have displayed for USPS during the the mail carrier from “Mister Rogers’
an accident, Greater East Bay, CA ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Neighborhood”? David Newell played
Branch 1111 member Lorna Lualhati The vehicle follows the previous the role of a mail carrier for nearly 30
was inducted on July 27 into the Na- introduction of other licensed prod- years.
tional Safety Council’s “Million Mile ucts, such as letter carrier costumes, Now, his son, Alex Newell, of Pitts-
Club” at the Benicia Post Office and for both kids and pets. burgh, PA Branch 84 is following in his
bestowed with a plaque to honor her “It’s a great way for us to reach kids father’s footsteps and tackling the job
achievement. in this day and age and build brand in real life by delivering the mail in his
“Safety is no accident. We need to be loyalty at a young age,” Kirby said. hometown as a letter carrier.
safety conscious at all times,” Lualhati Unfortunately, because of the size “When you’re living around it, you
said in a news release. of the box that the vehicle comes in, don’t realize how special and kind
The 37-year carrier delivered mail it can’t ship through USPS. However, of cool it is,” Alex told the Pittsburgh
in Southern California and Honolulu Kid Trax also produces a Post Office Post-Gazette. “It was a lot of days
before landing in Benicia in Northern play tent and mailbox set, available being on set and in the offices and
22 The Postal Record October 2021
going to appearances with my dad and to “settle himself and regroup,” and Customer Daryla Cox told The Herald
meeting a lot of interesting and famous soon joining the Postal Service. Journal that Jolley is a “nice and spe-
people.” And what was Newell’s father’s cial guy,” adding, “He’s very friendly.
Newell isn’t just a letter carrier in reaction to learning that he’d become a If you’re outside, he’ll come and help
real life; he’s also making an appear- letter carrier? you. He’s very polite and friendly. We
ance as a letter carrier on an episode “You’re kidding!” David Newell said. just all have enjoyed him.”
of the children’s show “Daniel Tiger’s “How ironic he would be a delivery/ Jolley told the newspaper that he’s
Neighborhood.” The animated TV postman, and I’ve been pretending to loved working for the Postal Service
show on PBS Kids features one of be one for over 40 years!” and that he tries to live by the golden
Mister Rogers’ puppet characters as When people hear about Alex’s rule.
a letter carrier who makes sure that a chosen profession, they like to remind “I try to be nice on the route,” he
girl’s care package for a friend makes it him that “you were born for this,” the said. “If I see somebody struggling
to her safely. carrier said. with a lawnmower and I can help start
“In a way, Alex grew up in Mister The “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” it or something, I’ll take a few minutes
Rogers’ neighborhood, in reality and cameo opportunity presented itself to help out. If they want to visit for a
in pretend,” Newell’s father said. “He after Fred Rogers Productions reached minute I’ll take time to visit and sub-
out to Alex. Supervising producer tract from my breaks.”
David Newell
(r) sits with
Chris Loggins told the Post-Gazette The carrier began working for USPS
his son that the show had been looking for a after coming across an ad when he was
Alex (l) and mail carrier for that segment, and that home sick from his previous job at a
grandson they had decided to go with Alex to meat processing plant.
Ashton. showcase “a serendipitous case of life “I was fumbling through the paper
imitating art.” and I saw a company that was offering a
Alex said it is “definitely important seminar,” he said. “They said, ‘We will
to carry on the legacy of what Mister guarantee a high score for the Postal Ser-
Rogers created,” which is why he vice test.’ I’ve been happy ever since.”
embraced the opportunity to be on the Jolley said the patrons he delivers to
kids’ show. The delivery connection to are “fantastic.”
his father made the whole experience He added, “This is probably the best
even better, adding that it was great to community to deliver mail in. I’ve done
honor his dad, who was the “greatest several routes, and it seems like it
teacher for me and every other kid that keeps improving and improving. It’s a
grew up with the show.” great place to be.”
“Thank you for being the greatest
role model there is,” Alex said, “be- WV carrier hangs up satchel
sides Mister Rogers.” On Parkersburg, WV Branch 481 mem-
watched the program as he was grow- ber Brent Walter’s last day on his route
UT carrier honored on on July 29, customers gathered to thank
ing up, and now he’s making a deliv-
route upon retirement him and wish him well. Of his 34 years
ery on [‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’].
And that makes me so proud.” Grateful for his 33 years of service, as a letter carrier, he’s spent 29 years on
He added that among his children, residents on Logan, UT Branch 970 the same route, so they know him well.
Alex always had been the most inter- member Dallen Jolley’s route orga- Though the carrier was surprised at
ested in acting, even living in Los An- nized a celebration in honor of his seeing the balloon and “Happy Retire-
geles for a while and working on some retirement in late July that included ment” signs, he carried on as normal,
independent films and reality shows balloons, signs and decorated mail- stopping briefly to chat and joke with
before moving back home to Pittsburgh boxes. his patrons as he usually did.
October 2021 The Postal Record 23
This artwork was created
for Anthony Puccio as
News part of the renaming of
the Letter Carrier Acad-
emy in his honor.
Social media (continued)
Several neighbors came together OK, but these rich, important, crucial
to give Walter some gift cards and a traditions live on in our family. We love
card that they asked him to open and mail. And guess what? I’ve got mail.”
that expressed how they felt about his
Carrier Academy renamed He had a great personality and sense of
service over the years.
humor. His smile was constant.”
“Man, oh man,” Walter told Jackson for late carrier
Customers wanted to honor Marcus,
Newspapers. “You guys are going to The USPS Letter Carrier Academy in a 33-year carrier who they said had a
make me cry.” New York City has changed its name positive impact on everyone he met.
He added, “The people are just to honor Branch 36 member Anthony Libertyville resident Nicholas
great. I’m going to miss the people.” Puccio, who began working as a letter Wennerstrom told the newspaper that
The carrier plans to spend his retire- carrier in 1958 and retired in 2020. He he had met Wheeler in 2012 and that
ment on his farm tending to his cattle. died in January. they became close friends. His 9- and
He said it’s bittersweet to close this The Anthony Puccio Letter Carrier 5-year-old sons would shout “It’s Mar-
chapter, but “it’s time.” Academy, located at a Manhattan post cus!” whenever they saw an LLV.
office, features a mural of Puccio and a “They broke down when I told them,”
Drew Barrymore loves the mail plaque that reads, in part: “Dedicated Wennerstrom said. “They liked him, too.”
Actress, film producer and talk show to service, he delivered mail in NYC for For the procession, the sidewalks
host Drew Barrymore loves mail, and 62 years.” along Wheeler’s route were packed
she’s not afraid to share that sentiment. The carrier delivered mail on the with patrons. Among them was Bob
Barrymore posted a video on Insta- same route for his entire career, was Castleton, who said that the carrier
gram on July 6 telling her 14 million known by his co-workers for his strong had come by his house after his shift
followers how excited she was after work ethic and received many awards the week before to help Castleton with
receiving a letter from her daughter, during his career. a task after he had mentioned his to-do
who was attending sleepaway camp. Always neatly dressed, Puccio was list to Wheeler.
“I’m the most proud parent right now,” affectionately referred to as “The Dean” Wheeler’s family was represented in
Barrymore says in the video. “I got mail by colleagues because he “was always the procession by siblings, daughter
from my daughter and she’s at camp.” willing to teach and mentor young Camryn, her mother, Kimberly Price,
She continues: “I think that letters carriers,” New York 1 District Manager and several nephews and nieces.
and postcards and stamps and the Post Lorraine Castellano told USPS Link. “It just says what we always knew
Office are just so important. Letters are “He treated his customers … with the about him,” his sister Aminah Wood-
so beautiful and may we encourage our utmost respect and they, in turn, grew house said.
kids to be writers and send mail to us.” to adore him,” she added. “It made me so proud of him, and I
Barrymore, who has shared her love was always proud of him,” niece Ami-
of mail before in previous posts, also Paying tribute to longtime IL carrier nah Burns added.
encourages fans to send her letters After Marcus Wheeler of Oak Camryn Wheeler said that she be-
for the “Dear Drew” segment on her Brook, IL Branch 825 unexpectedly lieves her father’s example of finding
eponymous daytime talk show. She died in August, customers on his route friendships in a turbulent world is
also selects a “ZIP Code of the Day,” organized a police-led procession of one everyone can follow, and that she
and spouts fun local facts before open- Postal Service and civilian vehicles in was amazed to see such a tribute from
ing correspondence on air. his memory on his longtime route in people of so many different back-
In the video, Barrymore says that Libertyville, just three days later. grounds and ages.
opening a letter from her daughter is “I’ve been in the post office for 32 years “I saw a veteran with one leg who
“the day I’ve dreamt of since my kids and in management for about 15 years,” was standing up for my father,” she
were born—my kid writing me a letter Libertyville Postmaster Patrick Sweeney said. “I know that if he was alive he
from sleepaway camp,” adding, “It’s just told The Daily Herald. “I’ve never seen wouldn’t even believe this, because he
such a sign that not only is everything this. He [was] loved by his customers. was so humble.” PR
24 The Postal Record October 2021You can also read
