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November 2006 |
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Congratulations to the 2006 Verizon TelecomPioneers Hall
Of Fame inductees! This awards program was conceived to
honor the “Best of the Best.” The Pioneers selected for
this honor have generously provided many years of their
time and talents to serving their communities. The
recipients were recognized at the V/F/T TelecomPioneer
Conference in Nashville November 4.
Special thanks to the Hall of Fame Chairperson, Gabriel L.
Olah, president of the Mountain Valley Empire Chapter, and
his committee: Vice President Steve Kohn, Diane Nelson, Bob
Leonard, Ann Cove and her team, and Marsha Young. Thanks
also to Paul Redline of the Maryland Chapter for taking the
photographs. |
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William J. Denver Chapter #20 |
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Ed Kosciol
Ed has been a member since 1985. As the president of the Trico
Council, he organized the chapter's Hobby show for three years
and coordinated bingo games at Northampton State Hospital,
Holyoke Soldiers Home, Springfield Municipal Hospital, and
Holyoke Geriatric Authority. Ed has served as life member
representative for the past four years, chaired the March of
Dimes Walk-a-Thon, Clarke School Walk-a-Thon, and the National
Hospitalized Veterans Week at two veterans hospitals. He has
participated at Camp Nawaka, the Appalachian Trail Cleanup, and
the Point Judith VP Project. Ed's also delivered Hug a Bears to
emergency officials and 911 simulators to local schools. Ed is a
willing participant in all chapter, council and club fundraising
events.
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West Virginia Chapter #42 |
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Shirley Sergent
Shirley has held numerous leadership roles, including chapter
first and second vice president, council president,
member-at-large, and chapter president. She is the current
chapter vice president. For 11 years, Shirley was one of the
clerks in the Pioneer office. She kept the clubs and councils on
their toes, but with her gentle touch. Shirley has helped raise
funds through bake, jellybean, poinsettia, and cookbook sales.
Shirley collects cookbooks and has more than 600 of them, many
from Pioneers! She has participated in the Easter Egg Hunt for
the Blind, Dictionary Project, March of Dimes Walk, Verizon
Reads, Clown Project, Community Service Kit demonstrations, Life
Line Projects, and E-911 programs. She's even a Salvation Army
bell ringer. She has been recognized by the Dunn Barr Lions Club
for her continued collection of eyeglasses and was selected West
Virginia’s Pioneer of the Year. Her involvement in Pioneering
has been steady for many years; even with personal hardships,
Shirley has been a Pioneer through and through.
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Verizon West Chapter #25 |
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Sherman and Ruth Wilkerson
Sherman and Ruth have been involved with Pioneering since 1994.
Sherman has been first and second vice president for two years
and is the current president of the Walter G. Wright Club. Ruth
holds the position of club secretary. Together, they embraced
the Dictionary Project, and their club has been participating
ever since. They assist the local newspaper with the Good Fellow
Drive and the Children’s Radio Auction project. They also
participate in many Alzheimer’s Memory Walks. Under Sherm’s
leadership, the Walter G. Wright Club has won numerous National
ITPA Awards for the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk Project, Book
Showers for Literacy and More, and the Children’s Radio Auction.
Ruth and Sherm go together like a set of bookends and have been
nominated as one. Sherm runs the club with grace and style,
while Ruth maintains an accurate and detailed membership
database and arranges for all of the club’s publicity and
events. She is truly the "Good Women behind the Man." This
dynamic duo has managed to keep their volunteers active even
through the hard times of merger and downsizing. Ruth keeps the
membership informed by writing their newsletter “The Voice.”
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Thomas Sherwin Chapter #14 |
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Caroline Cook
Caroline has held leadership roles on the chapter, council and
club levels as member-at-large, treasurer, and office assistant.
She has also served as on the calendar and luncheon committees
and in various chairpersons’ positions. She is currently working
as the chapter office assistant. Caroline has served as the
North Shore Map coordinator, volunteered her time on the
computer recycling program, and delivered dictionaries to
various schools. She has chaired the New England Shelter for
Homeless Veterans since 2001, chaired the Special Needs event
since 2002, and been involved with the Adopt A Child Christmas
Project since 1998. She makes her home available to store, wrap
and distribute presents for the annual Adopt a Child Christmas
Project. Caroline always shops around for the best items needed
for chapter, council and club projects.
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Telcordia Chapter #99 |
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Elizabeth “Dolly” Behan
Dolly has been a Pioneer member since 1984 and, although she has
not held any council or chapter offices, she continually leads
by her volunteering actions. Dolly is always there when needed.
She dresses numerous stuffed animal bears with her friends and
neighbors for the Dress A Bear project. She collects and
distributes toiletries for victims of domestic violence and has
volunteered at the Seniors Holiday Party for more than 20 years.
Dolly has volunteered weekly for 13 years at the chapter Pioneer
store and at seasonal flower sales. She assists the store
manager with inventory, displays, pricing and of course selling
merchandise. Dolly has been named Life Member Pioneer of the
Year and received numerous council and chapter certificates of
appreciation for her support. Dolly has a great love of animals
and often brings her dog to visit the residents of various
nursing homes.
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Paumanok Chapter #85 |
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Joe Caruso
Joe has been an active Pioneer since 1966. He's held many chairs
on the executive board of the Nesconset Life Member Club,
including vice president and president. He's currently serving
as fundraising chairperson for his club. Joe is one of the
original team members who established the Paumanok Chapter
Telephone Museum in 1989 and to this day continues to be an
active volunteer. In 1985, he established the first annual
summer picnic of his life member club. The event is still held
and is very popular with the members. Joe always has a smile and
a kind word for all he comes in contact with. In the last three
years, he has played a big part in the chapter’s Living History
Program - Freedom Isn’t Free. He goes into local high schools
and talks about his career in the Air Force during World War II.
Joe works with his partner by his side and is still going strong
at 85.
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Old Dominion Chapter #43 |
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Hazel "Suzie" Jones
Suzie has been a Pioneer since 1965. Her leadership roles
include chapter life member representative, council vice
president, and president. She also has chaired the Educational
and Membership committees. Suzie has coordinated the
distribution of dictionaries, Smart Bears, Hug a Bears, Verizon
Reads books, Electronic Maps, and school supplies and winter
coats to five elementary schools. Suzie is a dedicated, untiring
volunteer. She has made and donated numerous quilted items for
chapter and council fundraising purposes. She has received
recognition from the chapter for volunteerism as well as
certificates of appreciation from five local schools for
donations. Suzie loves Pioneering, yet she still finds time to
volunteer over 1000 hours at the Jefferson Poplar Forest. Suzie
warms the hearts of those she touches and truly makes a
difference in their lives.
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Nova Five Chapter #5 |
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Linda Rubin
Linda has been participating in Pioneer projects since 1987. She
began volunteering as the Future Pioneer representative for the
Carl Wittmore Council. She has held the fundraising chair for
the council and chapter, been life member representative,
president of Brooklyn Queens Clown unit and is currently the
president of the Gateway Life Member Club. Linda has been a
member of the Brooklyn/Queens/Staten Island Clown unit for
almost 14 years, volunteering her time and talents as a “Raisay
the Clown" at hospitals, senior centers, Operation Santa at JFK
Airport, Special Olympics and anywhere the presence of a clown
is needed. Linda has participated in the I Like Me program,
became a pen pal to two students in the Rite On program, has
collected and delivered books for school libraries, participated
in the Verizon Reads program, has demonstrated the 911 program
to first grade students, and tutored elementary and junior high
school students for 15 years.
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Mountain Valley Empire Chapter #97 |
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Carol Moyer
Carol has served as the president of the Glenns Falls Club and
as community service chairperson for more than 10 years. She has
been active in organizing and raising funds for the March of
Dimes Walk America in Glenns Falls for 20 years and involved in
the Dress a Bear project since 1993. With her help, more than 90
bears, along with hundreds of knitted hats, mittens and baby
blankets, have been donated to Operation Santa Claus in
Washington County. She has organized Hug-a-Bear workshops,
delivered the bears, visited nursing homes, and driven seniors
and children to doctor appointments. She also organized the
Adopt a Highway Project on Bluebird Road in Moreau. Carole keeps
trash bags in her car and tries to maintain Bluebird Road
throughout the year. Carol contributes her time, money and
efforts not only to the TelecomPioneers, but also to her church
and community. She is compassionate, has a genuine concern about
her community, and has outstanding leadership and communication
skills.
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Maryland Chapter #44 |
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Hank Butta
Hank, former operating president of Bell Atlantic and C&P, has
been a Pioneer since 1967. He was the annual speaker at the
Maryland Chapter Annual Convention in Ocean City. As an
operating president, Hank never had to be asked; he was always
there for financial and moral support. Hank has volunteered at
the Pioneer Camp Basic Project, delivered Vials of Life in his
community, painted USA Maps on playgrounds and volunteered on
the Students Under Construction project at Archbishop Borders
Elementary School. Hank received the Maryland’s State Board of
Education award for the Maryland Chapter Book-Em and Students
Under Construction projects.
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Liberty Bell Chapter #6 |
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Domenic Chiavarolli
Domenic has served as council and chapter president, chapter and
council treasurer, chapter and council member-at-large, and
special projects coordinator. He has held about every position
within the chapter and council. Domenic is currently serving as
the chapter treasurer. Domenic has supported and coordinated
many chapter and council fundraising efforts. Recently the
Pioneers partnered with his church to help raise funds for their
educational projects. You can always count on Domenic to
volunteer for various projects and if you need a coordinator he
is first to volunteer. He has participated in the Literacy
Project, Dictionary Project, Valley Forge Historical Work Days,
Fort Mifflin Cleanup, Chapter Special Needs Picnic, and Charity
Golf Tournament. With his vast knowledge of Pioneering, its
bylaws and fundamental principles and goals, Domenic has proven
invaluable to the Chapter.
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Leonard H. Kinnard Chapter #7 |
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Frances "Fran" George
Fran has been an active Pioneer for more than 50 years. She has
served in both the active and retired clubs as council and
chapter presidents, life member club president, and life member
senior representative. She also has held numerous chair
positions in the Lehigh Valley Pioneer Club. She wrote the
Pioneer Chapter Memorial Service and chaired the Pocono
Environmental Education Center Weekend. Fran also organized the
Ceremonial Tribute for Armistice Day, the Farewell to the Guard,
card writing with the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the
Teddy Bear Picnic at Phoebe Home.
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Jasper N. Keller Chapter #33 |
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Mary Ann Currier
Mary Ann has served on the Maine Council for seven years. She
has been chapter president and vice president. Mary Ann helped
secure Verizon office space in Portland, Maine for the Verizon
Telecom Pioneers’ Museum. Her favorite project is Special
Olympics. She developed a survey to help the Maine Special
Olympics determine how to better their existing program and
expand it to more campers. She has helped work on both the
Winter and Summer Special Olympic Games in Maine, Vermont and
New Hampshire. Mary Ann has been the guest chef coordinator for
the Ronald MacDonald House for more than four years. She has
helped cook, clean and decorate the house for many occasions.
Annually she, her husband and a few friends cook and serve a
special dinner during the Christmas Season. Spring clean ups at
Camp Tall Pines, Camp Susan Curtis, Camp Sunshine, Northwood’s
State Park are a few of her other favorite things to do.
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H.G. McCully Upstate #12 |
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Tina Callahan
Tina has been a pioneer since 1981, serving as council
president, treasurer, and chapter president, and chair of
various chapter and council committees. Tina was the project
manager and co-creator of the chapter’s Clown RAP Program, which
won the Education Excellence Award. Tina was honored with a
Pacesetter Award for her work with this program. During her term
as chapter president, she created the chapter’s annual Holiday
Party for physically and mentally challenged children and young
adults. She has served on committees for the Walk for Literacy,
Reunion, Charity Golf Outing, and numerous others. Tina’s
endless dedication to pioneering and her willingness to lend a
hand whenever and wherever, has earned her the respect and
admiration of her chapter.
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H.G. McCully Downstate #81 |
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Cynthia Douglas
While Cynthia has been a Pioneer member since 1990, she was
performing volunteer work for more than 20 years before she was
able to join. She has served as president of the Raritan Valley
Council as well as Community Service Chairperson. She is the
current vice president of the chapter. As a single mother of one
son, Cynthia has been involved for many years with the Boys
Scouts, Little Leagues, and PTAs. She has volunteered at Project
Graduation, Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen, March of Dimes,
Sports Jamboree, Book About Me, Adopt A Highway, and Domestic
Violence Projects. She recruited and organized more than 100
Verizon Pioneers, family and friends for the September 11th
relief work. She has received the Verizon Excellence Award,
Pioneer of the year for 2001 and certificates of appreciation
from the Mayors of Perth Amboy and Plainfield. Cynthia’s
continued community involvement and volunteer work comes from
the heart and her passion for caring about others.
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Genesee Chapter #37 |
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William Grace
Bill was selected for this award for his dedication to the
preservation of local telephone history. He has spent countless
volunteer hours managing the Telephone Mini Museum on Brighton
Henrietta Towline Road. From coordinating the displays to
providing tours to local schools, Bill was essential to the
museum. This past year, the Telephone Mini Museum found a new
home at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Bill has
greatly assisted the RMSC’S regional curator in the cataloging
and archiving of more than 800 objects. His dedication to the
history of Rochester telephony will now be shared with the
community.
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Fort Pitt Chapter #13 |
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Mary Groger
Mary has served as chapter president and vice president, club
secretary, and chaired the membership, participation, and
entertainment committees. During her term as chapter president,
she organized the Telethon for Cerebral Palsy, which raised
$25,000. She also helped the SID Foundation establish a chapter
in the Pittsburgh area. Mary has volunteered with the following
projects: Project Bundle Up, annual toy drives, Myasthenia
Gravis mailings, numerous telethons, Saint James Haven for
homeless men, the Erie Mission and clowning at the annual West
Virginia Sports Jamboree. She makes and distributes Hug a Bears,
and helps deliver dictionaries to third graders. In addition to
her loyalty and dedication to her club and the Fort Pitt
Chapter, Mary is very active in her community. She is a board
member of the Conneaut Lake Historical Society and serves as
chairperson on numerous events and fundraisers. From her
inception into Pioneering in 1976 until now, she exemplifies the
true meaning and spirit of “Answering the Call of Those in
Need.”
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Excelsior Chapter #98 |
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Dawn Aikman
Dawn has been a Pioneer member since 1993 and chaired many
committees on the council and chapter levels before becoming the
Southern Tier Council president. Next year, Dawn has agreed to
serve as chapter vice president. She has volunteered at the Bath
VA Hospital and the Wyoming Children’s Conference Center. She
also has mentored, painted maps, and delivered dictionaries. She
chairs Buddy’s Baseball for the Handicapped and is a zoo keeper
for the chapter’s animals. Dawn was the Excelsior Chapter’s
Pioneer of the Year for 2005. She does anything and everything
she is asked to do.
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Alexander Graham Bell Chapter #15 |
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Joyce Peay
Joyce Peay has been active with Pioneers for more than 25 years,
serving in various leadership roles. She has served as chapter
vice president, president, council secretary, and as various
committee chairs. She has helped chair and assist at Special
Olympic Games, nursing home visits, map painting, Verizon and AG
Bell Reads Days, Walter Reed Hospital, Camp Friendship clean up,
Beep Baseball Games, and the annual Easter Egg Hunt for the
visually impaired. Joyce received the 2005 Maryland Recreation
and Parks Association Volunteer of the Year Award and was
recognized by the Meals on Wheels Chapter in the Prince Georges
Community. Joyce has been described as dedicated, loyal,
friendly, funny and sweet. Her dedication to Pioneering and
people in the community are evident in the accolades she has
received. She demonstrates that hard work and a caring positive
attitude can make a significant difference to many people -- the
volunteers as well as those we are serving.
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