Banding together for education
     On May 12, members of the Pilgrim Council and Cape Cod Life Member Club of the Thomas Sherwin Chapter banded together for a spring-clean up at the Latham Center in Brewster, MA. Members planted grass and aerated four areas, prepared one house for painting, and planted flowers and vegetables in a little garden.
     Over the past couple years, the chapter has donated dictionaries to each of the students attending the Latham School. Members also assisted by giving a 9’x12’ rug map of the United States to aid the students with their learning endeavors.
     When the chapter heard that the Latham schoolhouse had lost its library due to flooding, the Pilgrim Council took up a collection of books at the Braintree Office. This last fall on Make a Difference Day, some of our members got together to help paint rooms in a newly acquired house to be used to house students attending the school.
     The Latham Center supports children with severe behavioral or emotional problems and children with Prader-Willi Syndrome that live at and attend the school. The Latham Center outreach program consists of eight off-campus houses. Between the school and outreach programs, the Latham Center provides services to over 200 children, adolescents and adults.

Nova 5 Chapter marches for kids
By: Eddie Williamson
     Fifteen TelecomPioneers - active, retired, family, and friends from our Nova 5 Chapter - were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on this cool but sunny Sunday morning. It was April 22 at 8:30 a.m. and kids were clearly on our minds. The March of Dimes walk would shortly be underway and our Nova 5 team would again, as in the past several years, prepare our check point at 23rd Street and Park Avenue. The walkers were met by our Pioneers, who congratulated and applauded them while handing out commemorative wrist bands as they came to the end of their walk. Our clowns, as always, brought laughs to grown-ups and children alike. We were all marching that morning in hopes of giving some kind of chance to the many kids who are born at risk to various prenatal afflictions. Here's to Nova 5 for a job well done!

What does our youngest member think of Pioneering?
     Ruby Molina, with an upcoming birthday of July 5, is our youngest member at age 25. Born in Robstown, Texas, she now lives and works in Dallas for Verizon Information Services as a team leader in account management. She started with Verizon Nov. 29, 1999, as a data entry clerk. She has also held the positions of publishing analyst and special handling coordinator.
     "I decided to join the Pete Heiden Metroplex Club because I enjoy giving back to our community and trying to make a difference in one person's life," Ruby said. "The Pioneer Club allows the opportunity to improve our community on person at a time. Making a difference in one person's life creates a domino effect in changing society as a whole. The Pioneer club in Dallas has created a prestigious reputation for community service and I feel honored to be a member."
     Ruby helps organize special events for the Scottish Rite Hospital and is the main building coordinator for fundraising. She also actively participates in the Shoes that Fit Campaign, Adoption Clinic, Silent Auctions, and the Children Holiday Christmas Party.
     "Being in the Pioneer Club has enabled me to network with others in the company in different departments, levels, and experiences," said Ruby. "However, we share the same common goal to uphold the success of Pete Hidden Community Club."
     In her spare time, Ruby enjoys photography, swimming, dancing, exercising, and boating.

The life member spotlight is on…...Ed Kosciol
     This western Massachusetts chapter member has served the Pioneers for many, many years. And now, he is moving to Florida, where he surely will be just as involved with the Pioneers down there.
     Ed started working at New England Telephone in 1972 and became a member of the Pioneers in 1978. Some of his accomplishments include: coordinating the Northampton Walk America for four years and volunteering at Clean up Holyoke, Springfield Rescue Mission suppers, Clarke School Walkathons, Holyoke Geriatric bingo, Springfield Municipal Hospital bingo, Holyoke Soldiers Home clean up of the unused nurses building during Desert Storm, Holyoke Soldier Home, Northampton VA Hospital Vet walkathon, PT phone home project at the Northampton VA center, 911 simulator, WGGB auction, and Appalachian trial clean up. He also was a Hug-A-Bear helper to the Northampton group.
     Some of the council offices Ed held were: Communication Service, Participation, Fellowship, Environmental, Vice President, and President. The chapter positions he held were Communication Service, Fellowship, Nomination, and Life Member Rep for the Western Mass Council.
     Ed has been honored for his volunteer service with the Pioneer of the Year Award for 1994-1995 and various plaques of acknowledgment.

June 1-30  National Safety Month
June 5       World Environment Day
June 14     Flag Day
June 18     Father's Day
June 21     First Day of Summer
Aug. 2-3    Beep Baseball Tournament in Cleveland, OH
Sept. 23    Dorney Park Day, www.verizonkinnardpioneers.org

Interested in becoming a TelecomPioneer?
    If you'd like to join the Verizon TelecomPioneers, go to http://www.verizonpioneers.org/ChptrJoinmap.htm. If you have any questions, please contact Stephen Kohn, vice president - Verizon/Telcordia/Frontier TelecomPioneers, at stephenkohn@verizon.net.

Did you enjoy this issue of "The Communicator?"
If so, please spread the good word about Pioneering and forward it to a friend or colleague. If you have any comments or suggestions about this issue, please e-mail them to editor@verizonpioneers.org. If you're interested in purchasing products from our Estore, please contact estore@verizonpioneers.org.