Congratulations, Vivian! You Make a Difference!

Congratulations to South Florida Business Service Network Representative Vivian Plather! Vivian goes above and beyond in all that she does and is being recognized with a "National Verbatim of the Month" award for the second time this year!

Kathy Lewis, Marketing Coordinator, CRC Press, Inc/Taylor & Francis Group of Boca Raton writes:

"It would not be possible for Vivian Plather to have served me any better than she did. Vivian was the most patient and informative person I have dealt with in a long, long time. I would be thrilled to have a co-worker like her. She was detailed, efficient, and knowledgeable with all my questions and concerns. She responded without hesitation and basically held my hand through a process I had no idea on how to handle. She should be considered a very valued employee, and I have the utmost respect for her and all the help and guidance she assisted me with. I would be honored to give her a letter of recommendation, if she should ever need one."

Congratulations, Vivian ... You truly make a difference! And you make us all proud!

Jason Simpson Rescues Girl from Pit Bull Attack

Jupiter Letter Carrier Jason Simpson was getting out of the shower when he heard a teenage girl in the neighborhood screaming for help. He quickly got dressed and rushed outside to find the girl on the ground. She was being attacked by two pit bulls.

"She was screaming at the top of her lungs, 'somebody help,'" Simpson said. "I ran outside and there she was in a fetal position with one pit bull wrapped around her neck and one wrapped around her leg."

Simpson ran back inside to grab a stick by his front door and then yelled at the dogs, scaring them away.

"It was like two pit bulls fighting over a piece of meat and that meat was a child," Simpson said. "I'm still a little shaken up. It was one of the scariest things I have had to do."

Witnesses told a sheriff's deputy the dogs somehow escaped from their fenced enclosure and roamed around before running into the girl about 7 a.m.

Safety Tip: Stop Pumping Your ABS Brakes

If you try to pump ABS brakes, they will not work. Pumping ABS brakes defeats the computer's efforts to sense a wheel skid. If your vehicle has ABS brakes, when you need to stop in a hurry press the brake hard and hold your foot on the pedal no matter what it feels or sounds like. ABS brakes pulsate, they rattle, and they make noise. Do not release the pedal until you no longer need to brake.

Contributor: Ross C. Lewis, Safety Analyst, SEA Office

It's Time to Open Your Hearts to CFC

The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) --- the nation’s largest workplace fundraising campaign — is under way in the South Florida District and around the country. This year’s campaign theme is “The Compassion of Individuals, the Power of Community.”

Since 1961, federal employees have contributed more than $6 billion to this campaign. Last year, CFC raised $66.5 million in pledges for participating local, national and international charities and had more than 150,000 donors. The national goal for this year’s drive, which ends December 11, is $67 million. The district goal is $764,388 which is 1% higher than the actual monies collected in 2009.

Helping people is what the CFC is all about. While you’re making your decision, consider what your gift can buy:

$2 a pay period provides transportation to the hospital for dialysis treatment.

$4 a month buys 145 pounds of food for a food bank.

$10 a month pays for a complete platelet count for two children undergoing cancer treatment.

$12 a month pays 5 month’s salary for an adult literacy teacher.

$15 a month purchases 150 trees planted by volunteers to offset the annual greenhouse gas emissions of the average family of four.

$35 a month buys clothing for three homeless American children.

How much you give and whether you wish to designate your support to a specific charity is your decision. Most employees elect to pledge an amount to be withheld regularly from their paycheck while others give a one-time gift during the CFC. Your gift will help shape the lives of thousands of people in our communities, across the country, and around the world.

We're # 2 in Nation in Bone Marrow Registrants

"Delivering the Gift of Life."

The South Florida District is proud to report that 520 employees are registered to be bone marrow donors --- and special thanks to Damaris Agrait, Edith Naar, and Jennifer Thonus for coordinating this drive.

Nationwide, the district is ranked # 2 (and trying harder) in the number of registered participants!

Bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside some of your bones, such as your hip and thigh bones. It contains immature cells, called stem cells. The stem cells can develop into the red blood cells that carry oxygen through your body, the white blood cells that fight infections, and the platelets that help with blood clotting.

If you have a bone marrow disease, there are problems with the stem cells or how they develop. Leukemia is a cancer in which the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells. With aplastic anemia, the bone marrow doesn't make red blood cells. Other diseases, such as lymphoma, can spread into the bone marrow and affect the production of blood cells. Other causes of bone marrow disorders include your genetic makeup and environmental factors.

Symptoms of bone marrow diseases vary. Treatments depend on the disorder and how severe it is. They might involve medicines, blood transfusions, or a bone marrow transplant.

How to Help Fight Breast Cancer

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There are two ways to help fight breast cancer: Purchase semi-postal stamps and/or participate in the "Race for the Cure."

Breast Cancer Research semi-postal stamps are available year round at your local Post Office. To date nationwide, these semi-postal stamps have raised more than $70.7 million for breast cancer research. The stamp was first introduced in July 1998.

There's still time to register to join the USPS Express Dream Team in the "Race for the Cure" in Miami on Saturday, October 16. If you can't make it to the race, you can "sleep in" at home and donate online.

What's the history behind this race?

Susan G. Komen fought breast cancer with her heart, body and soul. Throughout her diagnosis, treatments, and endless days in the hospital, she spent her time thinking of ways to make life better for other women battling breast cancer instead of worrying about her own situation.

That concern for others continued even as Susan neared the end of her fight. Moved by Susan’s compassion for others and committed to making a difference, Nancy G. Brinker promised her sister that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. That promise is now Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The 15th Annual Miami/Fort Lauderdale Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is Saturday, October 16, at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. Marguerite Goulet, captain of the USPS Express Dream Team, encourages you, along with your co-workers, friends, family and neighbors, to participate in this year’s event.

Employees can join the USPS Express Dream Team by registering online today at this link:

http://miamiftl.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/MIA_MiamiFtLauderdaleAffiliate/1196690692?pg=team&fr_id=1984&team_id=141269&JServSessionIdr004=qk4yt2g125.app304b

(Please note this is an off-the-clock activity.)