February 2007 - Vol. 2 / Issue 2
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"The Giver" logo
The Buffalo/Niagara Life Member Club of the Excelsior Chapter is sponsoring “The Giver” production at the Theatre of Youth (TOY) in Buffalo, NY, March 7 - April 1, 2007. The play, adapted from the award winning children’s book, will be seen by hundreds of students and the general public. Through the council's sponsorship, 100 students will receive complimentary tickets to the performance. Council members also volunteer at the theatre by ushering, acting, and helping fundraise. The TelecomPioneers will receive publicity in ads and newspapers, TOY season brochures, school brochures, direct mail postcards, and in the online teacher's guide for "The Giver." For details, contact Fran McPhaden Denk at fmcphadendenk@msn.com.
Dolls and Balls
Every holiday season, the Norwesco Club in Everett, Washington, purchases 100 unclothed dolls and 100 toys for needy girls and boys. Members and coworkers dress the dolls and quilt small blankets for each. The dolls and toys are then donated to local school districts to give to children who would appreciate an extra gift at Christmas. Gloria Stablein, counselor at the Hawthorne Elementary School, wrote to the club members, "Your care and generosity brought joy and fun into the lives of many of our kids. Thanks so much from the bottom of our hearts."
Jammie Time
During the month of December, the W.J. Denver Chapter was very busy with its Jammie Time project. Jammie Time provides an opportunity for Pioneers and Verizon volunteers to purchase pajamas and a book and donate them to local shelters. The chapter has developed a "gift card" program to facilitate the process. When the volunteers sign up for the project, they are handed a $20 gift card to purchase the requested items. They are asked to turn in the purchased items and the receipts on a particular day. The 100 pairs of pajamas and 100 books were collected and distributed to the Women's Center of Rhode Island and Voices Against Violence serving MetroWest Massachusetts. Pioneers also helped the Attleboro High School's student council collect and present 30 pairs of pajamas and books to New Hope Women's Shelter in that city during their student council meeting. Employees and students liked this project very much as it allowed them the flexibility to volunteer on their own time and with family members.
Janet Kaelin
Our Life Member Spotlight is on... Janet Owen Kallen of the Excelsior Chapter. Janet has been an active part of the Leatherstocking Council since 1975. Janet was the council secretary from 1980-1995. After her retirement, she served as Life Member Club President from 1996-1999). Janet has been involved in many Pioneer projects including: Faxton Hospital Laser donation, Spaghetti Dinner (chaired with her late husband, Craig), Fashion Show (for refurbishing the Statue of Liberty), Pioneer Bazaars, Playground Map painting, and many more. Janet also attends every Pioneer Day and spends the day helping whomever needs her. For more than a year, Janet and a group of dedicated people worked to get the council re-established. It took many tedious hours and many afternoons to get this done. Four years ago, Janet introduced the Backpacks Project to the council and has chaired the committee for it each year. Over the years, Janet has seen many changes in Pioneering, but she believes in helping others and is very dedicated to community service.
Santa's Helpers
Thanks to the Mountain Valley Empire Chapter and other Verizon employees and their families, needy children in the Tupper Lake, NY, area received more than $6,000 in toys and gifts the week before Christmas. The gifts were distributed through the Kiwanis Club's Castles of Toys program. This is the eighth year the Pioneers and the Kiwanis have partnered on this project. (Pictured l-r by the Verizon truck after unloading: Mary Broderick, Duane Eldridge, George Andrews, Dave Premo, Fred Gates, Bill Broderick, Julie Dukett, Shelley Thomas, and Eric Van DenBurgh).
Little Flower Orphanage
On December 16, 2006, Mrs. Claus and 17 of her Paumanok Chapter elves were on hand to bring a little Christmas magic to the children residing at the Little Flower Orphanage in Wading River, Long Island. The children had pizza and lots of homemade cookies and brownies for dessert. Both active and retired employees from Verizon donated toys from the children's wish list. The operators from Verizon Port Jefferson Livesource wrapped more than 250 gifts for distribution. In addition, the Paumanok Council made stockings filled with goodies for all the children. Everyone had a wonderful time.
Fran
Our Life Member Spotlight is on... Fran Cuchello of the Mountain Valley Empire Chapter. Fran has been a Pioneer for more than 30 years. When she retired, she became a life member of the Poughkeepsie Newburgh Club and has been volunteering with after-school projects. A few years ago, Fran was asked to serve as the chapter's office manager. Since she was a Pioneer already, it was an easy transition. Fran carried the enthusiasm she had as a Pioneer into her job as the office manager. While she is only paid for one day a week, she has made herself available any time to do what is needed for the chapter. "I and the chapter do not know where we would be if it weren't for her," said Gabe Olah, chapter president.
Winterfest
Twenty-four years ago, the Iroquois Club/Council of the Excelsior Chapter decided to do something special at the holidays for “special” children. It started with Pioneers visiting several schools around their district. The celebration grew, and now schools bring the children to the Verizon Center of Progress Building at the NY State Fairgrounds. The Club/Council project now partners with Verizon and AT&T Pioneers volunteers. With help from the Knights of Columbus, local church groups, the Empire Telcom Credit Union, Solvay Fire Company, the Syracuse Police, and other local businesses, the Iroquois Pioneers provide physically-challenged students and other school children with gifts, safety education, books, and entertainment. On Dec. 5, 2006, the Verizon Center was transformed into a holiday wonderland. Trees were assembled and decorated, toys compiled, and more than 100 volunteers placed donations at various locations. The band members strummed carols awaiting the first busload of children. At 9:00a.m., more than 625 children arrived. They received apples, candy canes, homemade hats, toothbrushes, and much more. They relaxed as storytime fed their imaginations and were rewarded with a book of their choosing to take home. Verizon’s technicians and their FIOS truck entertained with cartoons. Empire’s mascot, Moola Moola, joined in the day’s fun. The Syracuse Police sent “McGruff” to talk with the children about safety. This year, the Solvay Fire Company local firefighters also delighted the children with a look at a fire truck and fire equipment. The day was complete as Santa and Mrs. Claus presented each child with a gift. The local TV channels of 3, 5, 9,& 10 were on hand to cover this event.
Hershey Park logo
The Maryland Chapter is sponsoring the 15th Annual Pioneer Day at Hershey Park on Sunday, April 29, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Discount tickets are $20. All-you-can- eat lunches are $13 for adults and $8 for kids.

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