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Monthly Archives: November 2022

Heartland Pioneers Volunteers Help Again on the 31st TurkeyFest

Thirty-one years ago the Omaha Works Pioneers started TurkeyFest with the Salvation Army. They provided the place to hold TurkeyFest and the Pioneers provided the rest. Things have changed but the Pioneer are still here volunteering and providing some help with the supplies. Below is the coverage by KMTV’s of the 2022 TurkeyFest

Salvation Army’s 31st annual TurkeyFest helping hundreds of Omaha seniors in need
Story by Kalé Searcy

OMAHA, Neb. —Since 1991, the Salvation army’s 31st annual Turkeyfest helping Omaha seniors in need has helped provide dinner on Thanksgiving.

And for almost every year since, Douglas Thoms has been there as a volunteer.

“We had people that actually came into the Salvation Army, and we would feed them as they came through the line,” he said.

Thoms remembers the program providing just a few meals, but now they’re sending out over 1,000 across the metro.

“It’s changed then. Now we put it in a Styrofoam container, and we send it out to each individual’s home, which is different because each year the number of people that need help grows,” Thoms said.

Kevin Newlin has been the Salvation Army’s chef for 14 years, spending the days before Thanksgiving in the kitchen.

“It takes about three and a half, four days. And then on Wednesday night, we start coming in and blanching the green beans, getting the potatoes ready, making the stuffing, and everything’s from scratch here. So, we try to make it as delicious as possible,” Newlin said.

Newlin said since his start, this year came with its own set of challenges when it came to getting everything on his shopping list.

“The supply and demand of turkeys has been a nightmare this year. We had to go back to whole turkeys. I couldn’t find the normal turkey that we use, and then inflation, it just put a price tag on all the items that we had to, you know, purchase with a smart mind,” he said.

But Newlin said the focus was to stay on budget to meet the growing need in the metro. And for almost every year since, Douglas Thoms has been there as a volunteer.

“We had people that actually came into the Salvation Army, and we would feed them as they came through the line,” he said.

Thoms remembers the program providing just a few meals, but now they’re sending out over 1,000 across the metro.

“It’s changed then. Now we put it in a Styrofoam container, and we send it out to each individual’s home, which is different because each year the number of people that need help grows,” Thoms said.

Kevin Newlin has been the Salvation Army’s chef for 14 years, spending the days before Thanksgiving in the kitchen.

Repost from KETV

New Outlook Board Director Takes an Honor Flight to Washington, DC.

Elaine Housley, New Outlook Board Director, took an honor flight trip to Washington DC with a plane full of veterans on Thursday, November 3, 2022. It was the 118th trip for the Honor Flight Columbus organization.

Stops in Washington DC included:
Marine Corps War Memorial – Imo Jima
Air Force Memorial
Navy Memorial
World War II Memorial
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Arlington National Cemetery
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, including changing of the guard ceremony
Women’s Memorial

I escorted two Vietnam era veterans: Ronnie Workman and Bob Snyder

Included in the trip were 83 veterans, 43 guardians, and 27 staff (including medical staff, bus drivers, and multiple Battelle members who were covering the cost of the trip.

We met at the airport at 6am and experienced a delay in taking our flight due to heavy fog. Upon arrival at the Washington DC airport, we were split into three buses to take us to the various sites. Return flight landed around 8:30pm to a huge crowd of well-wishers thanking the vets for their time in the military. At the Columbus airport, we were met by a band and many, many family members and friends.

We never ran out of food or drink with three full meals and multiple snacks throughout the day.

Although it was mentioned during the training of the “guardians” we were supposed to keep our veterans close, keep them safe, and make sure that no one got hurt or lost. I personally had over 12,500 steps on my odometer when I got on the flight home. Lots of walking to see the various sites.

The crowds that greeted us at the airports and the stops during the trip were quite large.

We had told to prepare for wet or cold weather but we were greeted by “sweater weather” and sunshine allowing us to also see the autumn foliage in the area. Although the walks and steps took some effort, we had enough time to stop and see most of each of the locations, walk through the areas around the various facilities, and occasionally rest during our walks.

I would encourage all veterans to make this trip, if possible. If you’re not a veteran, please consider becoming a guardian taking care of a couple of the veterans on the flight. It’s an unforgettable experience.

Elaine Housley

Pioneers John D Burlie Club Takes Part in Central Ohio Veterans Stand Down

Central Ohio Veterans Stand Down was held on Tuesday, October 18,2022 at the Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.

The John D Burlie Club Pioneers was represented by President Jerry Dunbar and Bobbie Hall-Refinati.

Tables were set up Monday with help from American Legion Auxiliary #430 and American Legion #797, We brought socks, gloves, hats, scarves and other items for distribution.

The doors opened at 7:30am. 450 Veterans were served (349 men, 101 women). The event stayed open until all the supplies were distributed, which was around 10am. Lunch was served to all, and the event was a great place to meet Veterans and their families.

There is a plan for a Stand Down next year, and we plan to participate again and Dan Willis, Executive Director, thanked everyone to know that the Coat Sales starts in stores the third week of January and purchasing for next year’s event would be appreciated.

Central Ohio Veterans Stand Down is scheduled for October 17th, 2023.

Submitted by Bobbie Hall-Refinati

On Our 111th Anniversary Happy Pioneers Day!

On November 2, 1911, when the civic-minded leaders of the young telecommunications industry created Pioneering, they couldn’t have imagined that the group they founded, in a hotel ballroom in Boston, would grow into a world-class volunteer organization over a century later. But Pioneers did grow. And just as telecommunications technology has evolved over the decades, so have the Pioneers. Both have changed the world – from how we communicate to how we help our communities every day. Whatever challenges the future holds, our communities can count on one constant truth: Pioneers will always be there to answer the call for help.

On this 111th anniversary of our founding, I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all that you do every day to keep this organization relevant and alive. I truly believe that we can make this organization stronger and better for years to come because we have the right people (YOU!) on the board to make this happen.

I just want you to truly realize and understand that the work you do matters and makes a difference. I appreciate you all very much.

Laura

8547 East Arapahoe Road, Unit J-312

Greenwood Village, CO   80112

Laura Whitlock | Executive Director | 303-571-9260

 www.pioneersvolunteer.org