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Category: Pioneers

Pioneers and Florist One

A great way to send flowers!

Sending flowers is a lovely way to say “Happy Birthday”, “Get Well”, “Thank-you”, or just “I’m Thinking of You”. Now you can order flowers and support Pioneers** with our new fundraising partner FloristOne!

FloristOne has beautiful arrangements for all occasions, and they deliver all across the USA and Canada.

Florist One benefits Pioneers and is a great way to order flowers. The portal is hosted on the Legacy West Pioneers website, www.legacywestpioneers.org/floristone, but all proceeds are directed to TelecomPioneers.  Your support is ALWAYS appreciated! 

Save this link and use it frequently!  Flowers, or a tree planted in someone’s honor, is a thoughtful gesture and is not a burden to be saved, stored, or take up space.

Florist One is easy to use and sends a confirmation email and text (if desired) when the delivery is complete.

Available across the US and Canada.

Order flowers here


Pioneers Penn Jersey Ch. 132 Backpack Project and Don MacKenzie Grants

The strength of Pioneering is the volunteer. Pioneers projects are as diverse as the communities we serve. We take a grassroots approach towards volunteerism, responding to the unique needs of our hometowns. The Pioneers Don MacKenzie Charitable Foundation Fund (Foundation) provides grants for educational and/or charitable community service projects that make a significant impact in local communities and generate substantial recognition for the Pioneers.

Students in NJ and PA Public schools are responsible for providing their own school supplies (including, but not limited to backpackspens, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, paper, calculators, computers, etc.)

New Outlook Pioneers has endeavored to close the economic gap in some of these areas. Many years ago, we sent letters to Elementary school principals in school districts where we identified struggling families. We asked these school administrators if their students would benefit from receiving back packs and school supplies. The response from every principal contacted was a resounding “YES”!

Since that time, we set a purchase goal to buy thousands of back packs, and accompanying school supplies for students in the communities we serve.

Submitted by Cynthia Price – Penn-Jersey 132 

Pioneers Connect with Women’s Center For Advancement in Omaha, NE

WHAT WE DO
The WCA is the go-to place for anyone in the Omaha area who is experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking. Our free, high-quality services address our clients’ safety needs both immediate and long-term, and help them to grow into independence over time. The WCA assures that no victim will ever walk alone in their journey. We also provide education for the community at large, to raise awareness about issues of power and control, to strengthen support for victims, and to make the Omaha metro a safer place for all.

INTERESTING INFO
On average the WCA serves 150 people every single day. We do this through our advocacy, outreach, education, legal, and counseling services. One in four women and one in seven men will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

We want to eliminate channels of power and control so that all people can lead safe, healthy, self-determined lives.

Judy Coffey was close to the WCA early this year and when in to chat with them and see what needs they might have. She was told most any thing so Judy went to work purchasing cloths, coats for winter, diapers and wipes for them.

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


Nancy Domina Continues Making Scarves to Donate to the Salvation Army

Hooks & Needles Nancy Domina continued making scarves to donate to the Salvation Army this past summer and early fall. During the week of October 23, 2022 she delivered 78 scarves to the Salvation Army location in Omaha, NE. Nancy invested a total of 2,100 hours making the 78 scarves. Together they loaded seven boxes of scarves in her SUV for deliver. Nancy thanked her daughter Laura – who has been her driver to pick up the yarn at Betty’s house – and also delivery of the scarves to the Salvation Army on 108th street just north of Dodge. Laura donated two blankets while we were there. Nancy turned her hours and number of scarves into Betty Golmanavich temporary leader of the hooks & and needles. Betty emailed Nancy back and thanked her for making the scarves and her work as a volunteer for the Group and the Heartland Pioneers formerly of the Omaha Works.


Submitted by Nancy Domina photos by Melvin Domina