ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night,” Herodotus once said would not keep a postal worker from making their rounds. Although it’s not an official motto of the United States Postal Services, they may want to add another circumstance to the list.
“It’s my job, it’s my duty,” says Brian Periandri, a postal worker of 26 years. “Rain, sleet, snow, viruses, we get out there and we do it.”
Periandri has been doing that duty along the same route in Rocky River for the past 6 years. In that time, he’s become a well-known fixture.
Periandri says, “You know, being a mailman, you become a part of the community. You become a part of your neighborhood, you get to know the families, you get invited to the graduation parties, the block parties.”
When you’re a part of this community, they want you to know how much they appreciate you in tough times. So, people along Brian’s route have been displaying thank you signs, one woman made him a mask, others have turned to the kitchen to say thanks.
“Everybody seems to be baking right now,” says Periandri. “They’re leaving me pastries, cookies, everything in a box and saying thank you. A little boy chased be down yesterday, just to hand me this. Have a nice day. So, thank you, I have to say thank you to all of my customers, I appreciate their love and support.”
This community is providing hope for Brian and so much more.
“They appreciate me and they show me. They give me a lot of love and support and always look out for me. I can’t thank them more.”