Share the Gift of Reading!
Pioneers Continue Support of "A Book About ME"
     Pioneers will continue to give youngsters the gift of reading by supporting the "A Book About ME" (ABAM) program through June 2005. ABAM is a reading program designed to help improve the self-concept and self-esteem of children. You can help by delivering the program to a school near you!
     To date, TelecomPioneers have delivered the ABAM program to more than 600,000 kindergarten through second-grade students in the United States and Canada. There is still time to get involved this school year! Visit www.telecompioneers.org today and click on the "A Book About ME" button to learn more about this remarkable educational program.

Home Depot & Outback Gift Cards!
Buy popular gift certificates and support the Verizon TelecomPioneers! You can now purchase gift certificates through our Estore with merchants that you do business with on a regular basis. A percentage of the cost of the gift certificate is donated back to the Verizon TelecomPioneers. Learn More and to order...

600,000 Books Donated Through Seasons Readings
     Verizon employees helped give a gift that lasts a lifetime -- reading -- through our annual Season's Readings book drive. Nearly 600,000 donated books have been distributed to schools, libraries and literacy organizations around the country.
     Employees at more than 440 locations participated in the campaign, pledging to spend more than 44,000 hours reading to children, senior citizens and others.
     "Every line of business and department helped make Season's Readings a tremendous success," said Mary Beth Bardin, executive vice president of Public Affairs and Communications.

Kinnard helped clean up 55,000 lbs. of trash
by: Leni Herr, 2nd Vice President, Kinnard Chapter
     On International Coastal Cleanup Day last September, the Kinnard Chapter, watershed groups, and environmental organizations cleaned up over 55,000 pounds of trash along 104 miles of rivers, lakes and streams in Pennsylvania.
    The Ocean Conservancy provides trash bags for each site.  Data cards are filled out with each piece of trash being recorded on the data card.  This data has helped establish international policy such as the MARPOL Treaty, which prohibits dumping plastics in the ocean.  It has also been used to fine cruise ships that have dumped trash such as shampoo bottles overboard.
    The ICC Project provides us with environmental hours and helps educate young children about the dangers of marine debris to wildlife and our drinking water. Pennsylvania Pioneers are in the process of developing an educational program to take into the schools. Visit www.verizonkinnardpioneers.org for more information.

Remembering Alice
by: Denise Darden-Woody, AGB Chapter President
     Alice P. Williams, chapter president of the Alexander Graham Bell Chapter from 1994 to 1996, passed away Feb. 16, from breast cancer at age 55. As the 2001 recipient of the Hall of Fame Award for outstanding long-term contributions, Alice was recognized for chairing many committees, such as Constitution and By-laws, Annual Meeting, Jr. Achievement, the Sports Jamboree in WV, and Life Member Representative. She also participated in the "I Like Me' education project, the wiring for Internet Service at elementary schools, Book 'Em, Challenger Space Center, 24 Math Challenge, the Painting of Playground Maps, Recruiting new Pioneer Members, all of our Reading Programs, and more.
     Last year, Alice came up with a new project called the Teacher's Aid boxes.  By working with the local schools Alice discovered the need of day to day school supplies.  Alice and Judith Ware spent many long hours implementing this project and shopping for just the right items.  The Teacher's Aid Boxes were presented to teachers in Prince Georges County, Montgomery County, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia.
    Donations may be made in her name to Silver Hill Boys & Girls Club, P.O. Box 165, Temple Hills, Maryland 20748. We love her and we'll miss her deeply.

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