Duncanville Carrier Savannah Hubbard doesn't just deliver mail to the people on her route: along with the letters and packages, she also brings a watchful eye and a caring heart. Because she has taken the time to become acquainted with the people she serves, she knows when routines are broken or when things are amiss.
Her Postmaster, Patricia Bolling, was already well aware of Savannah's many rescues of and assistance to elderly customers when a resident along Savannah's route contacted her. Mike Stevenson, a neighbor to Elizabeth Aldridge, said, "Savannah goes out of her way to look after the people on her route. Mrs. Aldridge is an old woman, and she’s alone all of the time. I’m next door, but I can’t get to her all of the time. Savannah gets to her every day. She is a good woman, and she needs to be recognized. Not many people would do that."
Elizabeth Aldridge is 82 years old, has trouble getting around her house, can't afford to pay for much assistance, and is extremely frail. Several times, Savannah has alerted the neighbors or authorities when she has suspected that Mrs. Aldridge has taken a fall. She has done the same for other elderly customers, too.
“I always brought her packages in to her, but I didn’t always bring her mail in because she could always get out to the mailbox at least once or twice a week, but now, she’s gotten where she can’t, so I just bring her mail in to her every day, check up on her."
In addition to watching out for Mrs. Aldridge's physical health, Savannah's daily presence also provides important psychological comfort to Ms. Aldridge. Mrs. Aldridge said, "Savannah is a wonderful person. That’s all I can say. She's one in a million....She is my only contact with the outside world. I don’t see anybody else. My son comes once a week to bring me groceries, but after that, I don’t see him."
People have asked Savannah about her ability to sense when her customers are in trouble. She replies, “When you see somebody every day and you can’t make them come out, you know that something is wrong."
Savannah, you are the winner of this week's
On the Job, On the Ball Trophy, although
Postmarks knows that you deserve a second award that's called something else, too, since so much of the care that you generously provide to your customers is done on your own time.
You are a shining example of what it means to be not only a conscientious employee but also a decent human being who gives so much to your community. Thank you.
Postmaster Bolling also wanted
Postmarks to add the following note.
In addition to Savannah Hubbard, I am blessed to have a dedicated team of faithful and hard-working employees:
Rural Carrier Kay Christian, Rural Carrier Yvonne Watts, RCA Maria Shuttlesworth, TRC Naomi Davison, and TRC Angela Berry.
The full article about Savannah Hubbard will be published in this quarter's Postmarks.
