Tarentum mail carrier achieves USPS elite 'Million Miler' status

Tarentum mail carrier Donna McCorkle quickly checked the pockets of a new jacket bestowed on her by Postmaster James Aiello after earning the USPS Million Miler Award.

“Where’s the Asti Spumante?” joked McCorkle, a 30-year employee at the post office along Corbet Street.

McCorkle, of Verona, joined the elite rank by driving 1 million miles to deliver mail on her rural route along Bakerstown Road without an at-fault accident.

“I never even thought about it. You just drive and do your job,” she said, surrounded by fellow carriers during an early-morning celebration at the post office Friday.

Tarentum mail carrier “Donna Jean” getting her Million Miler award ⁦@VNDNews⁩ pic.twitter.com/StzNIl357u

— TawnyaP (@tawnyatrib) October 4, 2021

Aiello said the award is prestigious and earned by very few employees. In his seven years as head of the Tarentum office, Aiello has seen three people achieve the feat.

“I take a lot of pride in giving this out,” he said. “I’m a former drill instructor with the United States Marine Corp and, when I got that campaign cover, it meant something. This means something.”

The USPS began participating in the National Safety Council’s Million Mile Club and Safe Driver Award program in 1972.

Postal drivers are part of the world’s largest civilian fleet, with more than 213,000 vehicles throughout the country. Drivers face challenges that change with each season, including road conditions, gridlock, uneven terrain and distracted drivers.

McCorkle said her route often includes “critters.”

The country roads that abut Fawn are filled with all kinds of animals, said McCorkle, who started with the post office as a substitute before settling into her long-term territory.

“I love my route,” she said. “You see all kinds of stuff. Earlier this year, I saw some cows that got loose on Route 908 extension. It was pretty awesome.”

Through the years, McCorkle has watched children grow at the homes she visits each day and has become like family with some. On holidays, McCorkle enjoys delivering treats along with the cards and catalogs.

“There are some houses where I delivered baby pictures and now I’m bring college pamphlets,” she said.

“Some people become part of your life because you catch up every day. You take it personally when something happens to them.”

A Penn Hills graduate, McCorkle said she has been pleasantly surprised to meet up with some of her classmates along her route and become reacquainted.

“It’s nice to know it really is a pretty small world,” she said.

Fellow Million-Miler Michelle Misejka, now retired from the post office, attended the festivities to honor McCorkle. She said the award really is something to be proud of.

“It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of patience,” she said.

Celeste DeVito, USPS safety manager, ditched her prepared speech about McCorkle’s longevity in favor of a few words on the example she sets for her peers.

“You going out each day and taking care in doing your job, that’s says all they need to know,” DeVito said.

McCorklesaid she has grown to love her Tarentum office like family.

Still, she said, “I’m really hoping I’m not around for the 2 million-miler.”