GONZALES — Rural mail carrier Hope Phillips was recognized last week for driving over a million miles without a preventive incident by the U.S. Postal Service and National Safety Council.
Because of her achievement, Phillips received a surprise party hosted by the post office staff in Gonzales.
Phillips was excited her sons Cody and Daniel were on hand, along with her partner Harvey Sanchez at the Gonzales Post Office to enjoy delicious cupcakes and juice to mark her driving and delivery milestone.
“I deliver mail all along (Highway) 101 and the local backroads,” Phillips said. “I drive up to Johnson Canyon, Gloria Road and deliver to Metzer’s Duck Farm on Old Stage Road, and of course the hundreds of mail boxes in between. In total, I have 36 years with the Postal Service and I am going to work until I can’t drive, as I love the work I do and the people that I see everyday and of course my co-workers. I started here in Gonzales and worked for a great boss, Rudy Granados. I come from a family of post office employees, as my mom and sister were also rural carriers.”
According to Gonzales Post Office clerk Maria Fonseca, Phillips is a joy to work with and is proud of her for her driving so many safe miles.
“Hope delivers mail to 740 community boxes and addresses five days a week out on her rural delivery route,” Fonseca said. “She drops off letters and boxes, and is always very cheerful to her co-workers and with the people she sees daily. I know she was really surprised that we kept her celebration a secret and that her sons and friends were able to attend.”
