August 23, 2022
Today at approximately 10:30 am the doors to the DC Centre Banquet Facility opened for the second Heartland Pioneers Life Member Luncheon of 2022. More than a hundred attendees enjoyed visiting and catching up with what has been taking place in their lives since the last LML this spring. Chair Judy Coffey opened the meeting with the pledge of allegiance and gave a blessing. She had a couple of the chairs give a short report on what their groups were engaged in now. During this time the salads were distributed to all and then came the attendees selection of their meals either baked chicken or beef on rice. The dessert was a layer cake of chocolate or vanilla with a cream filling served by the waiters.
The highlight was Betty Golmanavich of the Hooks and Needles introducing Sharron Bailey who for years has made baby, cancer, youth and Quilts of Valor. Her specialty is quilts for kid cancer patients in the Omaha area. The Quilts of Valor Foundation (QOVF) was founded in 2003 by Catherine Roberts, its mission was to cover our nation’s military touched by war – that is, to cover them with quilts and honor their service. After she showed a quilt to the group she donated the quilt to one of the attendees of the luncheon. Sharron noted that from the first of the year to the end of August she have made and delivered 70 quilts.
There was a drawing of four free luncheon meals for the Christmas LML on December 6, 2022. The officers of the Heartland Council wish to thank all that chose to have lunch with us today and hope to see all again at our Christmas Luncheon.
In conjunction with the Life Member Luncheon the Pioneers hold a food drive and ask those attending to bring staples to the luncheon to donate to the Salvation Army. Chapter president Bob Wolkins reported that when he delivered the food items to the Salvation Army he was able to fill two grocery carts with the donations from the luncheon. The lady at the Salvation Army told Bob it was hard today to put a value on the food and assured him the two grocery carts had a estimated 100 pounds of food.
Submitted by the Heartland Councils Assistant Editor
Help Omaha Metro Residents Beat the Heat:
Donate to the Annual Fan Drive
Summer’s sizzling temperatures can take a toll on anyone, but the elderly, people with medical conditions and those without air conditioning are especially at risk. That’s why Westlake Ace Hardware’s annual Fan Drive to benefit The Salvation Army has been a vital lifeline to many in Omaha.
This year Westlake Ace and The Salvation Army celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Fan Drive. Stop by one of Westlake Ace Hardware metro-Omaha locations any time between June 1 and June 19 to round up your purchase or donate any amount of your choice. Donations can also be made online here.
Funds will be used to purchase fans for The Salvation Army, and all donations will support people in need in our local community, including low-income seniors, qualified families with children and adults with disabilities.
Donating to the fan drive is an easy way to make a big difference for someone in need. A single box fan can help reduce energy costs by properly circulating air throughout a home or by helping a small window unit air conditioner cool more efficiently.
Since beginning the Fan Drive, more than $57,000 has been raised in the Omaha metro area. That equates to 3,800 fans donated to help people fight the brutal summer heat. Nationally, the partnership – which began at one store in Hutchinson, Kansas, and has grown to 127 stores across the country, including eight stores in the Omaha metro – has helped raise $650,000 in the past decade.
“We are so grateful to every one of the Westlake Ace Hardware customers who contribute to the fan drive,” said Tiffanie McCowin, director of material assistance and seasonal services for The Salvation Army of Omaha. “Something as simple as a fan can make a tremendous difference in the health and comfort of the elderly and others who might struggle during summer’s hottest days.”
The Heartland Pioneers this year purchased 70 box fans from Westlake ACE Hardware for the Salvation Army Annual Fan Drive and donated them in the name of Dick and Cathy Maxwell.
For the past few weeks I have been collecting finished handmade items from Pioneer volunteers. In the last few day we collected 13 baby blankets, 3 bankets with matching cocoons and hats and 3 cocoon and hat sets.
On June 22 we delivered these items to ODM for distribution to Lydia House. They were accepted by the receptionist, Nancy.
Submitted Carolyn Wolkins – Photo by Bob Wolkins
On March 25, 2022, volunteers from the John D. Burlie Pioneer Club escorted the elementary students from the Ohio State School for the Blind in Columbus on a field trip to the Aladdin Shrine Circus. The students were paired with adult volunteers who acted as their mentors for the day. Students who attend this school are blind or significantly visually impaired, so many of the children cannot actually see the performances.
However, the students and their chaperones were provided with headphones and a radio receiver so they could listen to an announcer describe the various circus acts and activities. This audio-described activity provides a unique educational opportunity by allowing the children to hear what they cannot see.
During intermission, additional Pioneer volunteers distributed free lunches to the students, staff and chaperones. The students look forward to this exciting and fun-filled educational opportunity, which first began by the Burlie Club 46 years ago.
Dear Volunteers of the John D. Burlie Pioneer Club,
Thank you so much for taking the students of the Ohio State School for the Blind to the circus. They always look forward to sitting together on the bus and visiting throughout the circus. The students appreciate having the audio-description through their headsets and getting to spend time with all of you. Thank you for taking the time to help them enjoy the circus!
Sincerely,
Cecelia Peirano
Elementary Coordinator, OSSB
Submitted Cheryl Malone
On Saturday evening June 18 one of the Bellevue ladies in the Cozy Wrap group stopped by the Wolkins home and gave Carolyn 4 laps robes and 2 shoulder wraps she had knitted. On Sunday afternoon June 19 Carolyn called the Heritage Ridge and contacted Lenore her contact and she told Carolyn if she wanted to drive and drop them off today she would meet in at the reception desk.
On June 8 Carolyn delivered 14 crocheted baby blanket that one of the groups knitters dropped off to be delivered to Lydia House at the Open Door mission. On June 15 Carolyn and Bob took them over to the Open Door Mission. Bob dropped the bags of baby blankets in the parking lot then parked the car and took them in side. The receptionist Nancy accepted the donation and told Carolyn thank you. Nancy told Carolyn that the baby blankets were very much in need at Lydia House.
Submitted by Carolyn Wolkins – photos by Bob Wolkins
The delivery of our donation to Mary Queen of Angels consisted of the following items and reflect the names of the volunteers who made them:
BLANKETS
20- Flannel blankets (Annette Ravens, Paula Fox, and Donna Sturgess)
PILLOWS
9- Hug-a-Pillows (Paula Fox)
TOYS
10- Palm Toys (Pat Hawkins and Paula Fox)
HATS
1- Crocheted Baby Hat (Annette Ravens)
It has been our pleasure to donate these items so that they may provide some calming and comfort to those who receive them.
Submitted by Paula Fox, New Outlook Pioneers, Comforting Crafts Coordinator
To join the New Outlook Pioneers click on the link below and fill out the form. When finished filling out the form click on the send button and the form will be sent to the New Outlook Pioneers. Once we receive the form you will be notified that it has been received.
