MOUNT VERNON — Many people accept employment and work at a job for financial reasons. Some, however, have other motivations which drive them in doing their job.
Such is the case for three young siblings, all of whom are route carriers for the Mount Vernon News. Josiah, Samuel and Nathaniel Finneran, sons of Mike and Susan Finneran of Lower Green Valley Road, have all worked on different delivery routes for the News; all three have stories to tell about developing relationships with their customers.
In one case, customer Paul Snelling told Samuel he wanted to cancel his subscription, saying he was not able to read the paper very well because of eyesight problems. Samuel remembered he had obtained a large magnifying screen used for old televisions from his grandfather which was not being used. Samuel gave the magnifier to Snelling, who continued receiving the newspaper because he could now read it.
“He’s a very nice young man,” said Snelling said, adding that Samuel usually stays for a while each day so they can watch television together. “I really appreciate him and enjoy seeing him each day.”
Samuel’s older brother, Josiah, once found a cell phone while on his route. The phone appeared to be in not very good working order, so his father told him to do what he wanted with it. But Josiah’s teen leader suggested he do whatever he could to find the owner. After searching the contacts in the phone, the phone was returned to the owner, who was grateful because the phone held personal information.
Josiah and Samuel said they have both found money and wallets on the ground near customers’ homes, and returned the items to the rightful owners. Samuel said a customer once told him she did not want to spoil his dinner, then proceeded to give him brownies.
Younger brother Nathaniel has his share of stories, too. He said he once found a purse in a creek and returned it to the police. Another time he found some license tags, only to discover they were from a stolen car. There was also the time when a customer pumped up a low tire on Nathaniel’s bicycle.
“They have all developed relationships with their customers,” said Susan Finneran. “They are all home-schooled, so they have more time on their route to spend visiting with their customers than carriers who attend public schools do.”
