Orlando's College Park neighborhood is one of the city's most sought-after areas. The community is known for its 20th-century cottages, lakes, and green spaces. Vintage stores, gastropubs, and chic vintage stores are prevalent along the main street, Edgewater Drive, which is also home to the College Park Post Office. The office opened in February 1977. The delivery side has 25 routes and 32 carriers who make 11,000 deliveries.
"We
have a good mix of old-timers with new colleagues. There's a lot of mentoring
that goes on in this office. So, it's a good mix," said Manager,
Customer Service Gerry Santiago, who transferred to College Park in 2014.
"We have an excellent office. We always work as a team. We are always at
the top of the list for safety, scanning, and making customers happy. We also
do a lot for the community, including a blood drive every month and giving
tours to local school children. It provides kids with a chance to see how the
post office works."
Since 2014,
Juliana Santiago has worked as a custodian. She spends most of her time at
College Park and works at the Colonialtown branch on Saturdays.
Santiago knows her job is essential and is well aware that when customers visit
their post office, they want to see a well-kept building, which translates into
a professional organization that will care for their mailing needs. Some of her
duties include mowing the lawn, trimming trees, cleaning the lobby, wiping off
surfaces, mopping, cleaning the glass on doors, taking out the trash, and
cleaning the restrooms.
Letter Carrier
Rose Brau has become a sort of fixture at her station. Every morning,
she pulls out a hand-held speaker to remind employees it's time for a safety
talk. "Good morning, College Park. You just heard Gerry. Please gather
around for a circle of wagons."
"This
is a medium-size office, and everybody is busy. So when my manager wants
everyone to gather for safety or stand up talk, it's not ideal to start yelling
around. I bought this a few years ago, and I said, well, you know this is a straightforward
and effective way to get everyone's attention." Brau started her
career as a casual clerk in 1994.
In 1974,
Michael Jones started working as an LSM clerk, thinking it would be temporary.
Today, he is the most senior carrier in the city of Orlando, with almost 45
years of service. For the last seven years, he's carried mail on his current
route, a mix of business and residential. Safety is a top priority while on the
job. "I think about it every day, especially since I drive on two busy
highways. I'm also careful while lifting packages. I lift with my entire body,
mainly my legs. Seatbelts are lifesavers, especially with the speeds people
drive these days. Click it is like music to my ears. It's the first thing I do
when I climb into the vehicle."
Letter
Carrier Wadie Hood never dreamed she would be working at the same
company for 40 years. "I don't have to think about it because God is in
control. If He gives me health and strength, I'll keep going."
"After
my career with the Air Force, I wanted to work someplace where I could remain
active and still stay outside. I found carrying mail to be the most rewarding
thing for me to do. And I love my customers." Back at the office, there's
a lot of comraderies – it's just like another family." Her advice for
younger employees who are just starting their careers is "Save your sick
leave. You will need it. I've used my sick leave. I've had several operations,
so you must make sure there's enough in the bank to cover your illnesses, so
you get a paycheck. Sick leave is essential to me."
City
Carrier Assistant Keith Smith makes more than 200 stops a day while out
delivering mail, so the Miami native knows all too well the importance of
staying hydrated. "It gets hot and humid on the street. You need to make
sure your body is hydrated, so you don't suffer a heat stroke, pass out and
have to go to the hospital," he said. Smith carries a minimum of 3 to 4
Gatorade bottles and six water bottles on average during the more extreme
summer months. "You also want to wear something breathable. For me, that's
shorts, a short-sleeve shirt, and a safari hat to help protect me from the
sun."
