Medford Elementary Students Lead Initiative to Protect Medford’s Mail Carriers

Medford, MA — In a heartfelt initiative to promote safety within their community, two
fifth-grade students from Brooks Elementary School, Savannah McLaughlin and Adam Costello,
have taken a significant step to protect Medford’s postal workers. After learning about the
alarming rise in attacks on mail carriers, including a tragic incident that occurred last Halloween,
these young students decided to take action.

Savannah and Adam, both active members of the Center for Citizenship and Social
Responsibility (CCSR), shared a commitment to making their community a safer place. They
spearheaded a project titled “Keep Our Mail Carriers Safe.” Their mission: to equip all 70 of
Medford’s postal carriers with safety whistles.

On the morning of March 28, 2024, Savannah and Adam gathered at the Forest Street Post
Office, where they presented the whistles to the postal workers. Supervisor Dennis McCarthy led
the students on a facility tour, introducing them to the letter carriers who serve the Medford
community daily. Savannah, accompanied by Adam, delivered a letter expressing their gratitude
and concern for the safety of these essential workers.

“We’ve been told there has been a rise of attacks on postal workers. We want this to stop!” Savannah told the gathered postal workers. “Mail carriers are very important and deserve to be
treated with only the highest degree of respect.”

The safety whistles, bright orange with reflective lanyards, were purchased through a school
fundraiser co-hosted by the two students. They are designed to emit both high- and
low-frequency sounds, providing postal workers with a simple yet effective tool in emergency
situations. Savannah explained, “If you ever feel unsafe on the job, blow on this whistle.”
As they prepare to enter middle school, Savannah and Adam are already thinking of new ways to
contribute to their community. Their project, “Keep Our Mail Carriers Safe,” not only addresses
an immediate concern but also serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact young
people can have when they take action for the greater good.

The CCSR continues to work on various community projects, empowering students and teaching
the importance of collaboration and civic responsibility. To learn more about the CCSR and its
initiatives, visit https://ccsrmedford.org or find us on social media at @medfordccsr. The CCSR
is funded by grants from the Cummings Foundation, Krystle Campbell Community Betterment
Fund, and Bloomberg Philanthropies.