300+ People Gather to Throw Retirement Party for Atlanta Mailman

More than 300 people went to mailman Floyd Martin’s retirement party.

Martin delivered mail in one neighborhood for nearly 35 years and always went the extra mile—and the community loves him for it. He always carried candy for kids on his route and had a stash of dog treats and cat food. He also brought mail to the porch of the elderly residents on his route.

When 61-year-old Martin decided to retire, he got quite the send-off. The neighborhood decorated their mailboxes and got him gifts. More than 300 people also got together for a surprise party. At the sweet event, people waited in line to take photos for Martin, who then delivered a moving speech.  

“Thank you for caring about me,” he said. “We’ve gone through good times and bad times together.”

Martin lives in Atlanta with his dog Gigi and his dream is to one day visit Hawaii. After his story went viral, neighborhoods started a GoFundMe to send him on his dream vacation. So far nearly $18,000 has been donated (the goal was only $5,000).

“They were my friends. I could have left them a long time ago but I wouldn’t. Because I love them,” he explained about the neighborhood. “And the relationship, I couldn’t leave it.”