THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2019
Page 6
Soapbox Derby returns THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2019
CARRIER LOVES HER ROUTE AND THOSE SHE FINDS ALONG THE WAY 97/16 STAFF
It’s been 25 years since she started working for the Citizen as a weekly newspaper delivery person and she’s the only one still who’s continued going strong for so long. Donna Wagar has only missed two days of work during those 25 years and when the going gets tough because of icy streets, snowstorms or a deluge of rain she just thinks of her commitment first. “I just think of all my disappointed customers and that gets me going out the door,” Donna said of her motivation to be a good newspaper carrier. Donna gets help from her mother, Wilma, who drives her all over the city so delivery of more than 600 copies of the 97/16 newspaper is accomplished. It all started after Donna graduated from Prince George secondary school and was looking for career choices. Donna took the two-year Target program, which had been offered at the College of New Caledonia. The program provided an opportunity for those with special needs to go to different employers for a trial period to see what they would like to do for a living. Through the assessment provided during the program, Donna learned some things about herself. “We learned that Donna is very methodical but she’s slow,” Wilma said, as only a 79-year-old mother can about her daughter. “We found out that she just would not be capable of working in an atmosphere where certain duties were to be performed within time limits. I never wanted her to get the idea that because she had a disability and the government gives her a disability cheque every month that she can sit back and collect it. So I wanted her to find something to do that she could feel good about and accomplish something.” That’s when Wilma gave Marilyn Li-
Christine HINZMANN, 97/16 staff
Donna Wagar has been a newspaper carrier in Prince George for 25 years. chacz, district manager for carriers, a call at P.G. This Week to ask if there were any newspaper carrier positions open that would be suitable for Donna. “Marilyn was kind enough to give Donna the opportunity and she’s never looked back,” Wilma said. Marilyn remembers Donna’s first day vividly. “Donna made her mother drive all the way back to the plant because she was short newspapers and she was determined to get the job done right,” she said. “I joke with her mother Wilma that we need to clone Donna because she’s such a good carrier.”
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In the 25 years Donna has worked as a carrier there’ s been no complaints. “Well, except for that one guy who thought I stole his bear traps from his driveway,” Donna said and shrugged. “What would I do with bear traps? I love animals!” And she proves it every day she’s out delivering the paper to her customers. “I’ve made friends with a lot of puppies on the routes,” Donna said with a smile. “I carry a bag of dog treats in the back of the car with me.” “I swear the only reason she does routes is so she can have all these dogs to play with,” Wilma laughed.
Every dog gets a treat - but only after asking the owner’s permission - and every cat gets a cuddle if they’re willing. Donna has dogs that will come out and meet her down the block as they see her make her way along the street but they only get a treat when they are back in their own yard. “I remember one dog, Saul, who didn’t like carriers of any kind,” Donna said. “Until I came along and I won her over with treats.” “The dogs just love her,” Wilma said. “You know it’s funny, they know the sound of the car as we come down the street and they wait for her.” Wilma said Donna will refer to her customers by their pet’s name like “that’s Rebel’s dad” or “that’s Tuffy’s mom.” “She doesn’t know the customers names, she knows the pets,” Wilma smiled. Donna has named some of the other animals herself, like Miss Shadow Cat for a black cat and Miss Poodle because the cat’s fur had been trimmed to look like a poodle. Most every year Donna writes a newsletter to her customers in December, talking about what she’s been up to throughout the year. The one year she didn’t send out a letter, people told her they missed it. They wanted to know what she’d been up to. So she doesn’t dare miss another letter filled with news of her life. “The customers absolutely love her,” Wilma said. “There’s one lady that gives her a $5 tip every month.” Some give her tips on special occasions like Easter or Christmas and others give her candy on Halloween. “Donna always tells me she doesn’t do it for the tips,” Wilma said. “I do it to do the job right,” Donna said. Donna said she’s going to keep her job for as long as she can and hopefully that will be for a very long time.
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