Avalon Mail Carrier Honored in Surprise Luncheon
John Yoast and Eileen Shoemaker
Avalon mail carrier John Yoast was honored Feb. 22 with a surprise luncheon at the post office for his dedication in nearly 35 years with the U.S. Postal Service. Although his official work anniversary falls on Aug. 20, the celebration was held in honor of “Thank a Mail Carrier Day” (Feb. 4).
“Whenever an opportunity arises to recognize positive and inspiring news surrounding our postal team, I truly try my best to do so,” says Avalon Postmaster Melissa Lomax. “One of John’s customers, Eileen Shoemaker, made it a point to stop in the Avalon Post Office and express her sincere appreciation for John’s superior customer service during her immobility last summer resulting from a broken leg. Once I began to delve more into John’s ‘acts of kindness’ through various channels, I felt that it would be more than appropriate for us as a team to recognize and celebrate him and his years of service.”
Lomax also noted several other instances in which Yoast had exemplified the utmost care and compassion for the residents on his route, including calling 911 to help a resident who had fallen while home alone. With help from Shoemaker, U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, Mayor Martin Pagliughi and his administrative assistant, Sue Keen, Lomax was able to coordinate the surprise recognition for Yoast. He was joined by his wife, Debbie, and their three grown children – Samantha Yoast-Coleman, Joshua and John Jr. – as well as co-workers, area postmasters and members of the community.
Samantha Yoast-Coleman, Joshua Yoast, John Yoast Jr., Debbie Yoast and John Yoast, with Mayor Martin Pagliughi and Mike Francis, a representative of U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo.
“John Yoast is truly a treasure for the residents and visitors in Avalon,” Pagliughi says. “John continues to perform his duties professionally and diligently while providing that true level of care and personal customer service that can be hard to find in many professions. I congratulate and thank John for his years of tireless efforts and was proud to be a part of a ceremony to recognize John for his achievements.”
Yoast, born and raised in Cape May County, is a 1975 graduate of Lower Township High School. Since the age of 8, he knew he wanted to be a mailman and he started a stamp collection. He was hired with the U.S. Postal Service in 1983 as a part-time flex and was promoted to carrier on the Avalon Route 1 in 1992. Before that, he served three years at the Avalon branch of 1st Peoples Bank, where he met his wife. The couple will celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary June 9.
“I first met John and have worked with him here at the Avalon Post Office since I became the Avalon postmaster in 2012,” says Lomax. “John’s innate kindness truly made me feel welcome and a part of the Avalon team since the beginning, and still rings true to this day. John’s steadfast commitment to his family and his work is undeniable. He is an honest-to-goodness reflection of ‘actions speak louder than words.’ Our Avalon Post Office community most certainly honors John’s daily acts of kindness and appreciates his first-rate customer service.”
In addition to his role as a mail carrier in Avalon, Yoast is a dedicated member of the Corbin City Baptist Church, an exercise enthusiast, dedicated family man, and the list goes on. He enjoys working in the yard, maintaining his family’s koi pond and collecting baseball cards.
When you ask Yoast about his service and dedication to the USPS, he humbly replies, “All in a day’s work of a mail carrier.”
