Wannabe Millionaire is Rich in Many Ways

Zanesville, OH, Letter Carrier Andy Walcutt, right, with Postmaster Steve Williams

Zanesville, OH, Letter Carrier Andy Walcutt wanted to be an all-around millionaire. He almost succeeded.

After almost a decade of trying out for the TV show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” Walcutt finally impressed its producers with his body of knowledge. “I’ve auditioned off and on in different ways since the show started,” said Walcutt. “Sometimes it was on the phone where you would have to answer questions, like on the show. I also auditioned in different cities where I had to finish a 30-question test in 10 minutes.”

To prepare him for his TV debut, customers on Walcutt’s route helped by quizzing him. He says he stayed up to date on news and current events and kept tuning into the show to keep his mind limber.

Sadly, Walcutt didn’t make it to the $1 million round. Instead, he walked away with $25,000 in winnings after incorrectly answering the $50,000 question during the show’s Jan.15 episode. Still, he says the experience was worth more than money could buy.

Meanwhile, Walcutt had another opportunity to become a millionaire. He recently became a member of the prestigious “Million Mile Club,” joining letter carriers around the nation who have driven a million miles without an accident. Zanesville Postmaster Steve Williams presented the letter carrier with a plaque noting the achievement.

“If you want something bad enough, just keep trying,” said Walcutt, whose persistence and dedication to showmanship and safe driving have earned him recognition and cash.

Phone 'Ring' Reunites Jewelry with Owner

Vickie Adkinsson, left, and Cottonwood, CA, Postmaster Beverly Fickes

Thanks to postal employees in California, Vickie Adkinsson has been reunited with her Anderson Union High School class ring that she lost in 1965 while attending a football game. Believing the ring was gone forever, Adkinsson saved her money to buy a replacement.

Nearly 30 years later, the father of Cottonwood, CA, Postmaster Betty Fickes was engaged in his hobby of metal detecting when he found a ring engraved with the initials V and R. Another decade passed before the elder Fickes read a newspaper article about Anderson Union’s 2009 all-class high school reunion. He recalled finding the ring and asked his daughter whether she could locate the owner.

Fickes first checked with Anderson Postmaster Sherry Lelevich to see if there was a current alumni association register. No luck. Then one of Fickes’ employees mentioned that former Cottonwood Postmaster Steven Harp was an Anderson Union graduate.

Fickes called Harp, who made some inquiries. Harp led Fickes to an Anderson Union graduate who had an address for a Vickie Romero Adkinsson.Letters and phone calls led to the reunion of Adkinsson and her ring. After all these years, Adkinsson is happy to report it still fits.

Marine Corps to Salute Father Felix Varela PO, WPB P&DC Employees for Toy Donations

Congratulations to employees at the West Palm Beach P&DC and the Father Felix Varela Branch for collecting the most toys for the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign this year. We received lots of toys --- including many bicycles --- to the delight of children in all age groups as reported by Marines who picked up and made these "special deliveries."

In the coming weeks, Sergeant Slagle, US Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign Coordinator, will be visiting these two winning offices to present a plaque in recognition of employees' outstanding participation.

Each year following the annual holiday campaign, US Marines receive many letters filled with heartfelt appreciation from children (and their parents). Thanks to the generous support of the Postal Service and other businesses, the Marine Corps nationwide collected and distributed a grand total of 16 million toys to more than 7 million less fortunate children in local communities.

The Postal Service is part of the fabric of every American community each day; your participation in the Toys for Tots Campaign demonstrates good corporate citizenship. The Toys for Tots Campaign simply could not have put the smiles on children's faces without your kindness and compassionate giving this holiday season. Thanks!

Employees Pledge $757,569.58 to the CFC

Employees pledged $757,569.58 to help less fortunate individuals in their community, across the country, and around the world. The South Florida District achieved 85% of its Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) goal ... top performers who met atleast 85% of individual facility/unit goals are:

South Florida L&DC, $28,380.08 (189%); Pompano Customer Service, $27,116.00 (111%); West Palm Beach Customer Service, $54,782.78 (110%); West Palm Beach P&DC, $115,557.04 101%); Boca Raton Customer Service, $14,159.00 (96%); MPOO 334/349, $98,413.54 (93%); Fort Lauderdale Customer Service, $51,014.60 (89%); Hollywood Customer Service $29,915.90 (86%), and Fort Lauderdale P&DC, $ 29,695.40 (85%).

Thanks to all the employees who donated to the CFC and to the campaign coordinators for their hard work.

New FMLA Rules Increase Time Off from Work to Care for Veteran, Active-Duty Relatives

Postal employees will have more opportunities to take time off work to help family members who are military service members or veterans under new rules mandated by the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act.

The law allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid or unpaid leave per year under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to help a family member who is on active duty or is being called for active duty to a foreign country.

The new rules also enable employees to take up to 26 weeks of paid or unpaid leave per year under FMLA to care for family members who are veterans and need medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy for a serious injury or illness incurred in, or aggravated by, service in the line of duty on active duty.

Previously, employees could only take time off to help injured or ill family members who were active-duty military. To qualify, the veteran must have been a member of the military, National Guard, or Reserves during the five years preceding the treatment, recuperation, or therapy.

Going the Extra 'Miles' to Help Haitian Relief

In Haiti, efforts to feed and house earthquake victims are building strength daily, as public and private organizations coordinate the massive rescue effort.

One of the principle non-government organizations assisting in Haiti is Food for the Poor (FFTP), the largest international relief and development organization in the United States. FFTP feeds millions in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. Days after the earthquake, FFTP volunteers in Port-au-Prince were distributing boxes of Pop-Tarts and hot food to hungry and wounded victims in hospitals and throughout the devastated Haitian capital.

Meanwhile, back in the U.S., the Postal Service has been helping FFTP raise money to help fund the organization’s efforts in Haiti. The day after the earthquake, Mailing Solutions Specialist Charlene Miles met with the organization at its headquarters in Coconut Creek, FL, to propose launching a Direct Mail special appeal for earthquake victims. Expediency was a major concern, and FFTP wanted the appeal to reach their donors as soon as possible.

Miles suggested First-Class Mail would be the most effective product to use for the solicitation. Business Service Network Representative Juan Nadal assisted in speeding the approval of the final mailpiece and making sure the Postal Service was prepared to accept 1 million pieces of First-Class Mail. Nadal also issued Mail Alerts to promote timely delivery nationwide.

'Federal Employee of the Year' Nomination Packages Due February 5

Do you have a co-worker who consistently performs above and beyond the call of duty? A South Florida Postal Family member who deserves recognition for his or her heroic efforts demonstrated in a life-threatening situation? How about an employee who generously volunteers his or her time to benefit others in the community?

If so, then you’ve identified candidates for recognition in the South Florida Federal Executive Board’s “Federal Employee of the Year” Awards Program. This is your opportunity to honor our outstanding employees at any and every level and position in the South Florida District.

Award categories include:

Administrative, Clerical/Administrative Support, Law Enforcement, Management (except Agency Head), Professional, Service to the Community, Scientific, Technical/Information Technology, Trades and Crafts and Valor.

Nominations must be based on performance from October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009.

Craft and EAS employees may nominate and/or be nominated.

Nomination packages are posted on the district website. Completed nomination packages must be submitted to District Manager Tammy J. Autenrieth on or before Friday, February 5.

Questions about the nomination process? Contact Damaris Agrait, Manager, Learning Development and Diversity, at 305-470-0881.