Goodrich ? Neither rain, snow, sleet, or dog bites have kept Judy Jones from logging one million miles of mail delivery.
Jones was recently awarded the National Safety Council’s ‘Million Mile? award, commemorating her safety record during 32 years of service.
Technically, no one knows for sure how many miles Jones has driven.
The NSC comes up with averages corresponding with specific time periods, said Goodrich Post Office supervisor Mike Steiner.
Jones ‘just kind of fell into? the job, she said.
‘Our former carrier stopped by our house one day and wanted to know if anyone was interested,? she said. Soon she was substituting, and became Route One’s regular driver in 1976.
Although Jones still drives Route One, it’s mapped differently today, as postal delivery has increased from two to four routes. Keeping pace with growing mail demands has resulted in changes; among the most positive was moving into the new post office building in 2001, said Jones.
It’s a good job if you’re organized, Jones says, but there’s inevitably a downside. Bad weather, road construction, and dog bites can make her day difficult. As a rural route carrier, she is required to drive her own vehicle. A left-sided steering wheel requires contortionist’s moves to get the mail in the box, and her hands freeze in bitter temperatures.
While Jones? safety record is impeccable, she’s constantly watching out for the other guy. She was once hit from behind.
‘The best part was that my hand wasn’t still in the mail box,? she said, dismissing the incident in her usual laid-back style.
Jones doesn’t spend her day seeking appreciation, but it’s delivered in droves during the Christmas season: cookies, gift certificates, coffee mugs, and other little gifts have often appeared along her route. Years ago, a miniature mailbox prompted her to start a collection. After acquiring nearly 100 mailboxes, Jones has now decided to quit collecting, she said.
Although Jones? work is often unseen by those living in the 478 homes on her route, a greeting card’this time addressed to her’once showed up in a mailbox.
‘Hallmark makes cards for everything,? she said, laughing. ‘It said something to the effect ‘You have no idea how many smiles you deliver?…so there are good things to think about.?
Along with Jones? Million Mile plaque, 10 other honors were given at the Goodrich Post Office recent awards dinner.
Brenda McManaman, Jan Inman, Lynn Klenow, Chris Kerti, Carol Lenneman and Lori Fraker received Safe Driver awards. Danette VanLandeghem and Michell Brown received Safe Worker awards, and certificates of achievement were also given to Judy Jones and Danette VanLandeghem.
Out of the 119-office Royal Oak district, the Goodrich Post Office was named ‘Best in Overall Performance.? The copper-burnished eagle award’a sign of the crew’s team spirit and pride in their work’will remain on display in the post office, said Steiner.