Verizon Literacy Campus Reaches a Milestone
     Early in January, Verizon Literacy Campus (VLC) reached a milestone with more than 5,000 individuals registered for online courses. With 25 courses now available, VLC continues to expand, making important knowledge and helpful skills available to those involved in enriching the literacy skills of children and lifelong learners.
     The latest VLC course, Building Readers: A Guide for Child Care Providers, helps support children’s development of language and literacy skills in child care centers and homes. This course will help you learn more about: 
  • language and literacy
    development in infants, toddlers
    and preschoolers
  • activities that encourage literacy
    development
  • tips to help parents support
    children’s language development
Visit VLC at www.literacycampus.org to see what’s new and learn more about literacy.

Only a few ABAM books left
     If you're thinking about ordering any more "A Book About Me" books before the program closes down May 6, please be aware there are only 198 books in English and 270 books in Spanish left that are branded with the Verizon TelecomPioneers logo. There are several hundred left that are either not branded or branded with the TelecomPioneer logo. To order, go to http://www.abookaboutme.org/order/index.html or call Kari Biesendofer at 800-872-5995, ext. 262. 

Would you like $1,400?
Take the Telecom Challenge!
     If you submit your application by the March 15 deadline, you might receive one of five $1,400 cash prizes to support Pioneer projects. The 3rd Annual Telecom Challenge is designed to showcase the talents and creativity of Pioneers by challenging them to combine their volunteer skills with the technology of our industry to promote the value of volunteerism. In alignment with the 2005 Annual Meeting theme (Connecting To Our Communities) and the roll-out of Project:Connect, the 2005 Telecom Challenge theme is: “Connecting Our Communities Through Technology.” The Telecom Challenge will be held during International Volunteer Week April 17–23. Visit http://www.telecompioneers.com/home/telecomchallenge05.asp.

Ken and Hazel Harness celebrate 50 years of marriage!
     Congratulations to Ken and Hazel Harness of the Walter G. Wright Life Member Club in the Verizon West Chapter for their 50 years of matrimony! Ken, a past president of the club, had 37 years of service with GTE when he retired in 1993. He joined the Pioneers in 1970 with 15 years of service at that time. These days, Ken's volunteer activities center around church activities, where he serves on the property committee, and with Circle of Caring, a volunteer caregiver program. He designs and helps build wheel chair ramps and steps for those within Pickaway County who are disabled. Hazel spends a half day a week at the local hospital helping patients get from one point to another, and delivering flowers and cards to patient rooms. She also does volunteer work at the church. She enjoys working on the computer preparing the monthly newsletter, individual greetings to our shut-ins, and writing puppet plays for the children.
     "Hazel and I feel very blessed to have health good enough to aid those less fortunate," said Ken. "The smiles and thanks we receive are rewarding to us and give us the incentive to continue to help others."

Join the Maryland Chapter at Hershey Park for Pioneer Day May 1!
     The park will be closed to the public from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. The price is $18 per Pioneer and guests (regularly $39.95). An all-you-can-eat picnic lunch will be served 12 -3 p.m. for $13.00 per person and children 3-8 for $8 each. To order tickets, go to http://www.verizonpioneers.org/HersheyParkMD2005.htm or call 410.393.6649. If you say you're with the Pioneers, special lodging rates are available at:
· Best Western Inn (717) 533-5665, Friday-$90.00, Saturday-$97.00, Sunday-$90.00
· Hershey Lodge (717) 533-3311, Saturday & Sunday-$99.00 Call for reservations.

Interested in becoming a TelecomPioneer?
    If you'd like to join the Verizon TelecomPioneers, please e-mail Steve Kohn at stephenkohn@verizon.net.

We look forward to your questions and comments. Please send them to editor@verizonpioneers.org.
Visit our website at www.verizonpioneers.org.
March 3, 2005