Macon Magazine

ARIEL PHILLIPS Ariel Phillips doesn't consider herself a hero. "This isn't doing a good job; this is what average human decency should look like," she said about giving away the entirety of her stimulus check to those in need. "I can't in good conscience take money for something people need in order to just survive and go buy something like a TV with it, because there are people who are actually starving," Phillips said. Although employed at Northrop Grumman, Phillips and her wife, Jasmine Niblett, met the threshold for a stimulus check, but she said they just didn't need it. "For us, the money is an excess," Phillips said. And so, when the check came in, Phillips posted on Facebook: "My stimulus check came in. If you are worried that: you are close to losing your home or vehicle, you don't know how you are going to feed yourself or your family, or you desperately need something that would greatly improve your life, please message me." Within three weeks, she'd given it all away. She helped people buy groceries, diapers, pay bills and more. "I was looking for people who would lose something that they desperately needed as a result of their financial struggle," she said. More than just giving away money, Phillips has donated her time and talents to help others during the pandemic. "My life motto is, 'actions speak louder than words,' because I am a very 'prove it' kind of person. I like to live like that, to do things that show people who I am," she said. "It really matters to me, and I want people to know they can rely on me, that if they need something, they can come to me." A friend reached out asking if she knew someone making masks, and so she connected them. Phillips has mowed yards and done handyman work, dusted off old hobbies and learned new ones. "I have skills I've acquired over time, because I'm a Capricorn," Phillips said with a laugh. "And what's the point of doing these things if I can't do them for people? I'm trying to build a community, that's what it comes down to."—Renee Corwine If you live off of Vineville or Ridge avenues, chances are you know Tony King. He's been your friendly neighborhood mail carrier for 20 years – and it seems his smile precedes him. "He is more than a mailman; he delivers an infectious warmth upon sight. We all get excited just seeing his truck in the neighborhood because we know that smile is coming," said Bill Arnold. "Tony is joy personified. We are often on our porch when he delivers our mail. His smile and cheerful greeting don't change with the weather. Tony is a runner, so it's always fascinating how efficiently he makes his deliveries," said Laura Bonfim. Being a runner and previously serving nine years in the Army, Tony said he happily signed up to deliver mail to a neighborhood that requires mostly walking deliveries. "I used to do half marathons and it's good that I like to walk, because I walk 3 to 4 miles a day on my route," said the 50-year-old Tony. The other thing he loves about his job is developing a good rapport with his customers. "They are like family and I get pleasure out of serving them," he said. "I try to be an example of what I want people to view me as – someone who puts in the work, and that I'm a good person." It's evident he's earned their friendship. "He walks the streets with a spring in his step, a smile on his face and a friendly wave," said Shawna Dooley. "Tony King is an essential, efficient and beloved part of our community." "He smiles and waves at me when I'm out walking and always encourages me," said Kirstin Israel. "He knows my kids' names and always speaks to them. We just adore Tony!" "Tony is a positive light to our community," said Karli Buxton. With more people working from home and ordering packages, Tony said he's been getting in more steps than usual and — voluntarily — has only had one day off out of the last 21 days. "I want to do an outstanding job on a day-to-day basis," Tony said. "I have the mentality that I have to put the work in. If people say I'm good at what I do, then I have to show it – that's how my mother raised me. She encouraged me to do good in everything I did and I never wanted to disappoint her." —Renee Corwine Tony King 7

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