When is the last time that you were recognized at your job? How does it make you feel when people appreciate your work? We all like to feel appreciated. Some might say that your paycheck shows that the company you work for appreciates you.
While that is true, a paycheck isn’t very personal. Also, appreciation doesn’t just have to come from your work life. I am a stay-at-home mom and don’t make a paycheck, but every time I hear my little girl say “Thank you, Mommy” it touches my heart because I know that she appreciates me.
About a month ago right in the middle of the crazy 120-degree heat wave we were going through I drove by my communal mailbox where I saw my postal carrier in the heat with no shade putting the mail in all the little boxes, drenched in sweat and flushed.
We live in the desert. We understand it gets very hot here, but did you know that United States Postal carrier trucks have NO air conditioning, neither do UPS trucks.
“Our trucks get in excess of 130 degrees in the summer” said Jacque McIntyre who has been a postal carrier in Bullhead for 12 years.
What could we as a community do to show the delivery drivers how much we appreciate them? I reached out to two local businesses. ACE Hardware in Bullhead manager Frank Aiello and John Hassett owner of Bullhead City Florist. ACE had the YETI’s (heavy-duty metal cups) that keep water cold for hours. John had the engraving machine that we needed to personalize each YETI with the driver’s names.
I posted about this project on the “Make Bullhead Better” Facebook page and the response was incredible. Initially this project was just for USPS drivers, but there were so many donations that we were able to give them to all the UPS drivers as well. 49 YETI’s in total were donated by these amazing individuals and businesses throughout our community.
Affordable Hupcaps, Farm Bureau Financial Services (Greg Eidsness), Darlene Tafoya, Tamsin Richardson, Sally Baron, Iris Scheibelu, Adam Cohen, Ray Sanders, Iris Wegner, Compassus Hospice, Dr. Mark White and Team, The Cammisso Family, The Sessions Family, ACE Moving, Donna Parsons, Brett Stelling, Debi Douwes, Wanda Binkley, Melinda Mocina, Scott Wheaton, Clyde, Veronica Garcia, Susuan Balboa, Cat Smith, Kimberly Agee and the Gist Family.
Anderson Ford of Bullhead City not only donated 10 YETI’s they also paid for the engraving of all the YETI’s their donation alone reaching almost $1,000.
Mayor Brady and the representatives from Anderson Ford helped deliver all of them last week. Giving them out one by one to the UPS drivers full of ice water before they started their shift.
“2020 was rough, many people had to switch to shopping online because of the pandemic and because of all of you working tirelessly people were able to get their orders. Thank you, our city owes, you a debt of gratitude.” said Mayor Brady as he addressed the UPS drivers.
“This means a lot.” said the manager of the local UPS office. “A little appreciation from the community goes a long way.”
Later in the week we donated the USPS Yeti’s to the National Association of Letter Carriers Union for postal workers. All Bullhead City letter carriers are part of this union and so it was a perfect way to make sure that they all got them.
“The YETI’s were so appreciated to help keep our water cold! Thank you so much to all those who donated them to our union.” said Todd McIntyre who has worked as a letter carrier for 24 years.
As I checked my mail yesterday there was a card inside from all the USPS drivers thanking everyone for their kindness and
When is the last time that you were recognized at your job? How does it make you feel when people appreciate your work? We all like to feel appreciated. Some might say that your paycheck shows that the company you work for appreciates you. While that is true, a paycheck isn’t very personal. Also, appreciation doesn’t just have to come from your work life. I am a stay-at-home mom and don’t make a paycheck, but every time I hear my little girl say “Thank you, DRAFTJS_BLOCK_KEY:ar98qMommy” it touches my heart because I know that she appreciates me.
generosity.
It doesn’t take a lot to make someone feel appreciated. Perhaps this week you can put a note in your mailbox just saying thank you to your driver or have a cold Gatorade waiting as your letter carrier comes by.
Kindness doesn’t cost anything yet is so valuable. I hope that this story inspires you to take time this week to find ways to show appreciation for others around you.
Please listen to the “Make Bullhead Better” daily podcast to hear more inspiring stories like this. If you have any ideas that you think would Make Bullhead Better e-mail me at makebullheadbetter@gmail.com
Together “We” Make Bullhead Better