Friday, June 20, 2025
Off the Clock
Winning on and off the field
This USPS employee uses football to develop young men of character
My name is Dennis Ford Jr., and I’m a complaints and inquiry clerk at the Los Angeles Customer Care Center. I’ve been with the Postal Service for 13 years.
Sports have been instrumental in my life. I played football as a kid and continued through high school. I played basketball and golf at Central State University in Ohio.
I have a passion for football, but I’m even more passionate about the kids who play the sport. That’s what led me to the Jaguars youth football program in Compton, CA, where I serve as founder, president and head coach of the 12-and-under team.
What matters most to me is developing the players’ character and positively impacting them for life beyond football. Expectations and discipline are hallmarks of our program, and we don’t tolerate cursing, profanity, immorality or gambling.
Many of these kids are from impoverished families and communities, and there is a lot that comes with that. Coaches will often cover players’ registration fees and buy them meals. It’s not a chore for me to contribute — it’s part of the journey.
Coaches also sit in the kids’ classrooms and talk to their teachers. We’ll pick up kids and drive them to practice. It’s all about the accountability we provide. And our players know we will hold them accountable as well.
Seeing the physical and mental development of these kids is rewarding. It is a big motivator for me when I see the light in their eyes turned on, and when they become curious, more engaged, and eager to learn and do more.
When I see them getting positive feedback from their parents and proudly wearing their Compton Jaguars uniform, and when I subsequently see them graduate from high school and join college, it makes me so proud.
This is the third year of our program. Our trajectory is upward — and that’s where I want these kids to go, too.
“Off the Clock,” a column on Postal Service employees and their after-hours pursuits, appears regularly in Link.
People
Leading by example
A letter carrier and a district manager promote dog bite awareness and a postmaster takes an oath
Hicksville, NY, Letter Carrier Diane Villatoro knows firsthand how dangerous dogs can be, so she trains newly hired co-workers on how to protect themselves from dog bites.
Villatoro has been delivering mail for 23 years, and she shares her knowledge as an on-the-job instructor. She especially wants new carriers to benefit from her own dog bite ordeal.
While delivering mail 15 years ago, she noticed a stray dog behind her. She reached into her satchel for a can of spray repellent, but the dog clamped down on her hand and wouldn’t let go.
The resulting injury required stitches and a series of rabies shots, and the experience ingrained her with valuable information to pass along.
“Every day, all day, you have to be very observant out there of everything that’s around you — especially the dogs,” she said.
There were more than 6,000 reported dog attacks on Postal Service employees in 2024, according to new data released as part of this year’s USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign.
A doggone good event
To help promote this year’s USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, Kansas-Missouri District is getting a little help from its friends.
The district is working with the KC Pet Project, an animal assistance organization, to provide employees with helpful tips on what to do if they encounter a dog while on the job.
A recent employee luncheon at the Kansas City, MO, Main Post Office, featured guest speakers from the organization, along with District Manager Jeremie Six, who helped prepare the main course — grilled hot dogs, of course.
“The employees are the real heroes here,” Six said. “They do a great job each and every day and we’re making every effort to ensure they can work in a safe manner and come home to their families without injury.”
New postmaster
There’s a new postmaster in Roanoke, VA: LaRue Dickerson, who took the oath during a ceremony last month.
“Roanoke is my hometown, and I know many of our customers personally,” said Dickerson, who joined USPS as a city carrier assistant in 2015. “I am committed to serving this community, not only as your postmaster, but as your loyal friend, neighbor and advocate for the community.”
“People” appears regularly in Link. Got news to share? Email us.
News Quiz
Old Glory, new designs
How much do you know about depicting the U.S. flag on stamps?
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end.
1. When was the 50th star added to the U.S. flag?
a) Aug. 12, 1933
b) Jan. 1, 1945
c) July 4, 1960
d) Sept. 6, 1971
2. Who designed the newest U.S. Flag stamp?
a) Antonio Alcalá
b) Greg Breeding
c) Doug Haight
d) Derry Noyes
3. Who said the following at the Barbara Bush stamp dedication ceremony? “She knew family was vital to a happy life.”
a) Doug Tulino, acting postmaster general
b) Laura Bush, former first lady
c) George W. Bush, former president
d) Neil Bush
4. What experience did Letter Carrier Rafael Pozo call upon when he encountered a garbage truck on fire as he was delivering mail in Arlington Heights, IL?
a) Being the safety captain at the Arlington Heights Post Office.
b) Coming across a similar situation five years earlier.
c) Seeing something similar in a movie.
d) Volunteering as a firefighter in his hometown.
5. How many entries were submitted in Michigan 1 District’s seatbelt safety slogan contest?
a) 58
b) 74
c) 86
d) 111
Answers: 1) c. 2) a. 3) c. 4) a. 5) d.
June 25, 2025
Datebook
‘Recharge for Good’
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar that will explore common causes of fatigue and ways to recharge.
The session, “Recharge for Good: How to Overcome Fatigue,” will be held Wednesday, June 25, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern.
Representatives from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the discussion.
Participants must register before the event on the webinar website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must participate off the clock or during authorized breaks.
Employees with questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
June 24, 2025
Datebook
‘Self-Care for Parents’
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar to learn tips to reduce stress and make time for themselves without feeling guilty.
The session, “Self-Care for Parents,” will be held Tuesday, June 24, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern.
Representatives from Kaiser Permanente, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the discussion.
Participants must register before the event on the webinar website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must participate off the clock or during authorized breaks.
Employees with questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
WestPac Area, Massachusetts-Rhode Island District lead in scanning
A snapshot of Postal Service scanning data shows the national rating was 97.08 percent during the week ending June 13, down 0.28 percent from one week earlier.
The data was collected June 18.
WestPac led the four areas with a rating of 97.32 percent, while Central ranked last with a 96.89 percent rating.
Among the 50 districts, Massachusetts-Rhode Island, part of Atlantic Area, ranked first with a 98.43 percent rating, while Kansas-Missouri, part of Central Area, ranked last with a 97.7 percent rating.
Scanning data allows customers to track their mail and packages, which helps USPS deliver excellent service, boost loyalty and drive revenue.
To see the latest data, go to the Informed Visibility website and select “Customer Experience,” followed by “DES 2 Scan Performance.” Postal Service employees must request Informed Visibility access through eAccess.
View past printouts
Printout details
What's included
-
Off the Clock
Winning on and off the field
This USPS employee uses football to develop young men of character
-
People
Leading by example
A letter carrier and a district manager promote dog bite awareness and a postmaster takes an oath
-
News Quiz
Old Glory, new designs
How much do you know about depicting the U.S. flag on stamps?
-
June25Datebook
‘Recharge for Good’
-
June24Datebook
‘Self-Care for Parents’
-
Brief
WestPac Area, Massachusetts-Rhode Island District lead in scanning