MILE MARKER MONTHLY
WELCOME MESSAGE
As they say, ‘April showers bring MAY flowers’ ! As we begin enjoying more sun and nature contunues to bud and bloom, may we also embrace the joy of brighter days : )
Keesha McCue
EXCELLENCE & SAFETY PROFIT, FUN & GIVING
LETTER FROM LEADERSHIP
In this newsletter you can expect:
There’s an old sailor’s proverb:
“A calm sea never made a skilled sailor.”
Since 1915, our company has been like a great ship forged by generations, captained by family, and crewed by thousands of hardworking people who’ve kept us moving forward through every imaginable kind of weather. Wars. Depressions. Booms. Busts. Technological revolutions Industry upheavals We’ve been through it all and yet, here we are.
Today, we find ourselves in some rough waters - a storm
For those of us still standing on deck, gripping the wheel, tending the sails, and doing what we can to keep this ship steady we want you to know: we see you. We are with you. We appreciate all you do and the great value of your time, talent and hard work. Thank you for the commitment to the tasks at hand.
Industry News Seasonal Safety
Health & Wellbeing
Community Building Company Creatures and more!
SODREL HOLDING COMPANY
FAMILY OF BUSINESSES
Sodrel Holding Company roots run deep. ‘Pap’ Sodrel began moving mail for the USPS as a ‘Star Route’ Mail Contractor in 1915. Since then, Sodrels have moved mail by foot, boat, horse and carriage, car and semi tractor trailer. In 1976, business diversification began when Mike and Keta Sodrel founded our motorcoach charter business, Free Enterprise. Years later, another venture emerged as yet another spoke in our wheel Student Transit.
Surviving over a century in business is no small feat Statistically, it’s almost unheard of That alone tells you that this company wasn’t built on luck. It was built on grit On character On people who believed not just in the business, but in each other. And while the current headwinds are strong, the spirit of this company our company remains strong.
Now is the time for all hands on deck.
We are navigating this crisis with urgency, transparency, and above all, belief belief in the legacy that brought us here, and the future we’re building together. We’ll need to adapt faster, communicate better, and lean on one another more than ever before. But if we do, we will emerge not only intact and transformed.
Storms reveal what we're made of. And from what I’ve seen the resilience, the passion, the sheer heart of this team I know that we are not done.
Let’s stay the course, adjust our sails and steer into the wind. And when the clouds part and they will we’ll be able to say we didn’t just survive the storm. We learned to sail better because of it.
With Gratitude and Resolve,
SODREL TRUCK LINES USPS CONTRACTOR / FREIGHT
E W S W O R T H Y
POSTAL
SERVICE BOARD OF GOVERNORS APPOINTS
NEW POSTMASTER GENERAL
DAVID STEINER
The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors has finally selected Postmaster General DeJoy’s successor after his resignation in March.
Acting Postmaster General Doug Tulino will return to his original position as Deputy Postmaster General and Chie Human Resources Officer when newly appointed Postmaster General David Steiner completes the required ethics and security clearance vetting process. Steiner is estimated to assume his new position in July.
As the President and Chief Executive Officer of Waste Management for 12 years Steiner is credited with leading tremendous organizational change, transforming operations and culture, and delivering strong financial results Before joining Waste Management, Steiner was a Partner at the law firm Phelps Dunbar
Steiner serves on the boards of transportation and logistics provider FedEx Corporation, construction material manufacturer Vulcan Materials, and recycling automation provider AMP. He will leave the Board at FedEx, and manage the other roles and business and financial interests as required prior to joining the Postal Service
Read the full press release here
“Dave is the right person to lead the Postal Service at this time to ensure this magnificent and historic organization thrives into the future,” said Amber McReynolds, chair of the Postal Service Board of Governors “Dave is a highly regarded leader and executive with tremendous vision, experience and skill that can be applied to the long-term mission and business needs of the Postal Service. Our Board looks forward to working with Dave as he takes on the core mandates of providing universal and excellent service for the American public and doing so in a financially sustainable manner ”
SEASONAL SAFETY
May is Motorcycle Safety Month!
This article from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) goes indepth on motorcycle safety, but here are some of the hard-and-fast rules you should know as a motorcycle operator:
Make sure you are properly licensed.
Driving a car and riding a motorcycle require different skills and knowledge. Although motorcycle-licensing regulations vary, all states require a motorcycle license endorsement to supplement your automobile driver's license.
Practice operating your motorcycle.
Motorcycles vary in handling and responsiveness Be sure to take the time to get accustomed to the feel of a new or unfamiliar motorcycle by riding it in a controlled area Once you feel comfortable with your bike, you can take it into traffic
Do a safety check before every ride.
Check your motorcycle’s tire pressure and tread depth, hand and foot brakes, headlights and signal indicators, and fluid levels before you ride. You should also check under the motorcycle for signs of oil or gas leaks.
Make sure you’re wearing the correct protective gear.
Always wear a helmet that meets US Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218. Look for the DOT symbol on the outside back of the helmet. Arms and legs should be completely covered, ideally by wearing leather or heavy denim to protect you in the case of a crash, but also to guard against dehydration.
As a driver looking out for motorcyclists on the road, make sure you:
Check blind spots: Carefully check blind spots before changing lanes, turning, or backing up, as motorcycles can easily be hidden in these areas.
Give motorcycles a safe distance: Maintain a safe following distance behind motorcycles, allowing them time to react and brake
Be aware of road conditions: Pay close attention to road conditions, including potholes, debris, and changes in the road surface, as these can pose additional hazards for motorcyclists.
Stay vigilant: Avoid distractions and maintain focus on the road, as inattention can lead to accidents
WORKOUT OF THE MONTH
Integrating regular stretching into your daily routine is an easy way to help:
prevent injury
increase blood flow
ISSUE 6 — EYE HEALTH STRETCHING
improve range of motion
increase strength reduce stress
support better posture
increase flexibility
support ligaments and joints
GOLDEN RULES FOR SAFE STRETCHING
Hold your stretches for at least 30 seconds In areas where you may be experiencing tightness or tension, you may need to hold for 60 seconds
The golden rule for stretching is “you should not feel pain when stretching.”
If you start to feel pain, release and relax.
HEALTH
May is recognized as Healthy Vision Month by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Optometric Association
To maintain your eye health this May, schedule a comprehensive eye exam to detect potential vision problems early on! Wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays whenever outdoors, and follow the 2020-20 rule Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to relieve strain caused by prolonged screen time
HEADSPACE
Maintaining mental health is just as important as maintaining physical health Prayer and meditation can go a long way in keeping your thoughts and emotions regulated Spending time in nature, using apps like Breethe, Headspace, and Calm, or dedicating time to a new devotional on an app like YouVersion or Hallow can help guide you towards overall health
COMMUNITY BUILDING
With summer just around the corner, it’s time to get out and enjoy these last few weeks of cool spring weather while you still can!
Do some research and find out if any seasonal events are going on around you that you don’t want to miss out on! Botanical gardens, parks, orchards, and more boast gorgeous displays of foliage and flowers, and a nature outing is always a welcome departure from our technology-centric lifestyles
Fairs, expos, and festivals are fun ways to wave goodbye to springtime and welcome summer with your friends and family! Check out your state’s tourism website for recommendations on all the latest events! OUTDOOR FITNESS & FRIENDS!
Enjoy the fresh air while keeping active at the same time by starting or joining an outdoor sports league or team!
Pickleball, cycling, cornhole, tennis, basketball, softball, running, hiking, kayaking, and more can keep you physically active, socially fulfilled, and mentally engaged!
Email kmccue@sodreltrucklines.com if you’re interested in hosting or organizing an activity, and we’ll help you form a group!
Mile Marker Monthly has featured many feline and canine friends throughout the six editions of the newsletter, but this month we’re looking at the health benefits related to pet ownership!
According to the U S Department of Health and Human Services’ NIH (News in Health) monthly newsletter, having a pet can decrease stress, improve heart health, and even help children with their emotional and social skills.
Studies have shown that interacting with animals can decrease cortisol (a stress-related hormone), lower blood pressure, reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood!
Pet ownership isn’t one-size-fits-all, and the pet that’s right for you might not be right for the rest of your family or loved ones. Knowing how to care for and feed an animal is part of owning a pet, so make sure you do your research and make the right decision based on your living situation, overall health, and companionship preferences!
*We’d love to see pics of your animal family member(s)! Send snapshots and descriptions to kmccue@sodreltrucklines.com
SSYMPATHY YMPATHY
SSUBMISSIONS UBMISSIONS
If you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one this month and would like to honor their memory, send an email with their name, how they’re related to you, and a 200-character limit description of them to omccue@sodreltrucklines.com, and we’ll include it in our next issue.
You have our heartfelt condolences.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“God wants you to be delivered from what you have done and from what has been done to you - Both are equally important to Him.”
Joyce Meyer
PPRAYER RAYER REQUESTS REQUESTS
Send your prayer request to omccue@sodreltrucklines com and we’ll be sure to lift it up
Please specify whether your request is private or can be shared in our monthly newsletter for others to join in praying.
“COMING
TOGETHER IS A BEGINNING. KEEPING TOGETHER IS PROGRESS. WORKING TOGETHER IS SUCCESS.”
– HENRY FORD
Dear Sodrel Holding Company Team,
We hope you've enjoyed this issue of Mile Marker Monthly. Take advantage of how you can connect with us through group activity outreach, prayer and sympathy requests, and Company Creatures: Mascot Mutt & Feline Friends submissions! We love learning more about our Sodrel team and hope this newsletter becomes a way for employees from all Sodrel businesses and divisions to connect.
Let’s keep going, together!
YOUR SODREL HOLDING CO. MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
Keesha, Oliviaand MakennaMcCue