|
| |
|
|
Preparing for the Blue Jean Ball
During a Face-to-Face Meeting in Baltimore,
Verizon TelecomPioneer leaders from all over the United States
celebrated National Volunteer Week by rolling up their sleeves and
getting the Maryland Food Bank ready for one of its biggest
fundraisers – the inaugural Blue Jean Ball. The ball, to be held
annually, is an event where Maryland Food Bank supporters dress in
blue jeans, dance and have fun, and raise money for a good cause: to
help feed the hungry.
To spruce up the bank for the fundraiser, about 50 Verizon
TelecomPioneers tackled various jobs that included weighing,
labeling and sorting cans of food and moving pallets of food in the
food warehouse.
“We are thrilled to get such overwhelming support from the
Verizon TelecomPioneers,” said Barbara Craig, volunteer coordinator
for the Maryland Food Bank. “This was a hearty, hefty move ‘em out
and clean-up day. Volunteers came expecting a good workout, and they
certainly got one in our warehouse.”
Nancy Mazepa, vice president of the Maryland Chapter, said,
“The Maryland Food Bank makes such a significant impact in Maryland
that we wholeheartedly wanted to support the organization. We are
committed to giving back and making a difference in our
communities.”
The TelecomPioneers also gave the Maryland Food Bank a $500
donation and 574 pounds of canned and non-perishable food items.
(pictured l-r: Stephen Kohn, June Weakley, two Food Bank staff
members, and Nancy Mazepa.) |
|
English at last!
Leni Herr and her partner, Tim, (L.H. Kinnard
Chapter, Reading Club) donated school supplies and dictionaries to
the First Baptist Church School on San Andres Island, Colombia, in
the Caribbean. The children speak Spanish two days a week,
English two days a week, and Creole one day a week in school. School
Director George Brown said they could easily get Spanish
dictionaries, but English dictionaries are in short supply. He will
use them as incentives for students who complete projects. |
|
Red Cross briefing
On behalf of the Nova 5 Chapter, Sheila Etheredge, Disaster &
Emergency chair, and Past President Eddie Williamson attended an
American Red Cross meeting that briefed them and various other
organizations on the state of the Red Cross' Disaster Services
Plan. It was clear to Sheila and Eddie that the Red Cross has
defined a new paradigm for its post 9-11 and Katrina organization.
The Red Cross' volunteer base has more than doubled and the
organization is implementing new technologies every day,
specifically in communication and the expedient movement of data.
This briefing is the first of many that will prepare Nova 5
TelecomPioneers to respond to any disaster. |
|
 |
The Life Member Spotlight is on...
Nettie Layman
The West Virginia Chapter’s oldest life member
is 102 and still active in the Fairmont Life Member Club. Nettie
Layman began her career with the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone
Company of West Virginia in 1920. She became a Pioneer in 1941 after
the mandatory 21 years of service. Nettie retired in 1959.
She remembers the Barrackville Mine Explosion in 1925 that
claimed the fathers of two operators. She was a toll chief operator
who was working in the office when Pearl Harbor was bombed. She also
was working during the Shinnston, WV, tornado in 1944 and when
President Roosevelt died in 1945.
One of her biggest thrills was to be named Pioneer of the Year
in Fairmont in 1996-1997. She has been the publicity chairperson for
the Fairmont area for 35 years! Every Friday she works the rummage
sale at Gateway United Methodist Church in Fairmont.
Nettie has been a site supervisor of food distribution from
North Central West Virginia Community Action program. She worked on
the election board and volunteered at the Red Cross Blood Donor
Days. She was a member of the Civic League of the Women’s Club and
was their pianist for several years. In 1968, she was named Honorary
President of the Marion County Cancer Society.
On her 100th birthday she was honored at a party at church with
many relatives and Pioneer friends attending. She received the
Order of the 35th Star medallion and that day, November 26, 2003 was
proclaimed “Nettie Layman Day” in Marion County, West Virginia. |
|
 |
Liberty Bell Chapter Breakfast well
attended
Although it was a stormy morning, Pioneers and their families
braved the elements to attend the popular Liberty Bell Chapter
Annual Fellowship Breakfast, on Sat., April 8, at the Carousel House
in Philadelphia.
Jim Cilione, president-Liberty Bell Chapter, said, “This
breakfast exemplified the true spirit and tradition of Pioneering
and the meaning of fellowship. As our city motto goes ..
'Philadelphia – the city that loves you back' ... so does Liberty
Bell Chapter. The fellowship displayed during the breakfast event
was exceptional. One could find old friends reminiscing about the
good old days and new friendships being made."
This year’s theme was "Child Safety.” A presentation by
Liberty Mutual focused on teaching children to recognize and react
to unsafe situations. The children viewed a safety video (Go Ape
Over Safety) followed by a series of demonstrations and games
emphasizing how to avoid potentially harmful situations and specific
action that could be taken. Also, the adults were given a ‘Child
Identification Kit’ to collect their children’s DNA and instructions
on how to approach the subject of safety with their children in a
non-threatening way.
Among the other highlights of the morning was a visit by the
Easter Bunny, who took pictures with the youngsters (both young and
old). Also, chances were sold for the drawing of donated Easter
baskets, flowers, baseball items (donated by the Philadelphia
Athletics Historical Society) and miscellaneous gifts.
(Pictured l-r, back row: Jim and Gail Cilione and Jerry
Moye from Liberty Mutual. Front row: Tina Maloney and Kathleen
Devine from Liberty Mutual.) |
|
 |
Excelsior salutes Sheila Dilmore
Sheila Dilmore,a member of the Excelsior
Chapter's Elmira/Corning Life Member Club, has been a Pioneer since
1978. She has been club president, club past president, education
chair, and chapter life member rep. In 2004, she was inducted into
the Pioneer Hall of Fame.
For the past 12 years, Sheila has volunteered at the Bath,
N.Y., Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital and is a deputy
representative on the VA Volunteer Advisory Board representing the
TelecomPioneers. Each month, Sheila helps out with the hospital's
Welcome Wagon project. She can be counted on to bring and serve cake
or cookies and sing along with the tunes on the player piano. She
also supports the hospital's annual fundraiser.
Sheila was very active in the chapter's Excel project in 2004
that entailed many days of painting classrooms, and unpacking and
setting up computers at the Wyoming Conference Children’s Home in
Binghamton, N.Y. During the Christmas season, she helps cut out,
sew, decorate, and stuff Christmas stockings. Stuffed with
educational items and basic necessities, the stockings are donated
to local children's homes. Sheila helps organize life member club
annual picnics and Christmas parties. She also participates in E911
simulator activities and the painting of playground maps at various
local schools. |
|
|
TPA News
The TelecomPioneers Association (TPA) mailed
each active and life member Pioneer a
lapel pin to say "thank you" for your vibrant
volunteer spirit. The TPA urges you to proudly wear your pin and
share your Pioneer values and volunteer spirit.
On the Spot is a
monthly program to provide immediate recognition of Pioneers who, by
their noteworthy performance and accomplishments, contribute
significantly to the TelecomPioneers Project:Connect program. Any
Pioneer can nominate another Pioneer for “On the Spot” recognition.
Nominations must be sent via email to Kari Biesendorfer, Program
Manager, TelecomPioneers, at
kbiesendorfer@telecompioneers.org.
Nominations must be received on or before close of business on the
25th of each month. Learn more at
http://www.telecompioneers.org/projects/onthespot.asp. |
|
|
May 6
Join Hands Day
May 14 Mother's Day
May 25 "On the Spot" Nominations due to TPA
May 29 Memorial Day
August 2-3 Beep Baseball Tournament in Cleveland, OH |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
