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Category: Chapter 136 News

History of the Hand Operated Tricycle (HOT)-Therapy Oriented Tricycle (TOT)

The Western Electric Pioneers at that time was called the Telephone Pioneers of America and they started a project for the Physical Handicapped Children of America in the late ’70’s – early ’80’s named the Hand Operated Tricycle (HOT). The Rolling Meadows Life Member Pioneer club was located in Aurora, Illinois where the Montgomery Shops was located. The Montgomery Shops work was opened in 1955 and made data-phone transmission sets, traffic service position sets, telephone parts and was closed and demolished in 1987.

A number of locations that had machine shops helped make all of the parts needed to customize a regular tricycle into Hand Operated Tricycle (HOT). The closing, selling or spinning off all of the 21 former manufacturing plant spelled the end of the HOT’s made and assembled by the Pioneers.

It wasn’t the end of the special tricylces that the former Pioneers were make. The Life Member Pioneers in Aurora, Illionis in the late ’90’s converted the project into the Therapy Oriented Tricycle (TOT) helps physically challenged kids get active. Telecom Pioneers Gordon and Connie Hankins lead efforts to give custom trikes to kids in need today. The TOT’s are modified and assembled then stored in the basement of there home..



Eastern Missouri Council Comforting Crafts Projects

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

Pioneer Headquarters New Address

Headquarters Change of Address Notice

Laura Whitlock, Executive Director, just announced that the Pioneer Headquarters new address is;

Pioneers Headquarters
8547 East Arapahoe Road, Unit J-312
Greenwood Village, CO   80112


Submitted by Elaine Housley, New Outlook Director

Camp Rhythm – Pioneers NOW Ch 161 – East MO Council & Thank You!

Again, the outcome for 2021 was still affected by virus pandemic, instead of camping and experiencing the outside the children experience the indoor activities such as making tie dye T-shirts, designing and making pieces of Jewelry, Coloring, Painting, drawing, and many more activities.

Again, most importantly, these activities engage each child in life lessons. Learning to be flexible and engaging in a new adventure. They learn to take risks and handle failure, and be  individually creative and using their own imagination and to be on their own. skills that can be harder to come by for children living with the physical and emotional scars of a serious illness.

Our group was not allowed to visit the hospital other than make deliveries as we normally do at the camp ground. Also, we proudly display our New Outlook Pioneer Logo on the donated material.

Thank you for choosing to support St. Louis Children’s Hospital in 2021! 

Because of generous individuals like you, we were able to provide compassionate, cutting-edge healthcare to more than 100,000 kids in 2021. On behalf of our patients and families, please accept our sincere gratitude for allowing our physicians, nurses and hospital staff to provide an opportunity for so many kids to just be kids.

Your donation was much more than a gift. It was treatment for complex medical conditions such as pediatric cancer. It provided community health outreach for dental and asthma care. It created access to behavioral health services, family-centered resources and so much more. Your thoughtfulness also ensured we remained a hub for innovative pediatric research by allowing our Washington University physician-scientists to translate research findings from their labs to the bedside, delivered in a warm and supportive environment that families can’t find anywhere else.

Above all else, please know that your gift created hope for patients and families right when they needed it the most. While times may still feel uncertain for many of us, there is no doubt your remarkable dedication made a difference. Thank you!

Hi Judy, St. Louis Children’s Hospital Made This Video Just For You

Submitted by Judy Herbst

FOOD PANTRY Project – Pioneers New Outlook West Ch. 1961 – East MO Council

This year was a once again a very hard year due to the continuance of COVID, especially for low-income families. We support two food pantries through time and food donations. Circle of Concern and the Affton Food Pantry is what this grant was dedicated to.

Regarding the Affton Food Pantry we have an individual who drives weekly for their Meals on Wheels Program which provides food and assistance to the hungry.

Regarding Circle of Concern the main food items they prefer from their wish list include soups, cereals, pastas and boxed dinner helpers.

Many people think of Circle of Concern as only a food panty but, they do so much more to help families in need. They offer scholarships for high school, and college. They also offer children’s programs, including funding the cost of summer camp, providing back to school supplies, providing a birthday gift for children under twelve years of age, and providing free or reduced breakfast/lunch programs. Once again, these services are offered to only low-income families that qualify.

Circle did say they are overwhelmed by our council’s continued generosity to our community. Due to safe distancing and changes on local government requirement our council occasionally follows The Circle of Concerns recommendations and orders from their Amazon Wish list for their monthly food donated. Although it slightly reduces the PAL hours, it enables us to meet our commitment to the families in need and provides streamline delivery on their end.


The Volunteers

Submitted by Patricia Hawkins and Cyndi Miller

Comfort Crafts Sample of the Work They Do – Ch. 136 – Eastern Missouri Council


Paula Fox thought she would submit a sampling in a photo of the work they do in the project Comfort Crafts and donate to the two charities they work with. The attached photo is a sample of the Crafts Blankets, Hug-a-Pillows, and Palm Toys in inventory for delivery for delivery to the charities that they donate the work to.

The blankets displayed on the top of bundles of 20 blankets each are made by Donna Sturgess, Charlotte Stevens, Toni Forth, and Annette Ravens give you an idea of the various fabric designs I try to select. As the Coordinator for Comforting Crafts, I purchase the fabric with our grant money, measure, and prep the blankets for sewing. Part of that prep includes batching, labeling, and maintaining a record of the batches, and delivery. The ladies do a wonderful job of sewing them and making sure that I have sufficient inventory for our donation deliveries.

A portion of the fabric that I purchase is used to make Hug-a-Pillow and Palm Toys. I try to select fabric appropriate for toddlers to teens for the pillows. I mostly make these, but get help stuffing from Pat Hawkins.

Since some of our blanket donations go to a Rehabilitation Department at Mercy Hospital, I try to make sure I select fabric designs that are appropriate for various ages. The same is true for the Hug-a-Pillows that are donated to the Pediatric Department at Missouri Baptist Medical Center.

Our donations are greatly appreciated by the hospital staff because they know that our small contribution to the calming of their patients, makes their jobs a little easier.

Submitted by Paula Fox Comforting Crafts Coordinator

New Outlook Pioneers Eastern Missouri Council Comfort Crafts Donations

On Friday, February 26th, our Comforting Crafts donations for January 2021 were delivered to Mercy Hospital and Missouri Baptist Medical Center.  The following items delivered were made by the following volunteers listed:

MERCY 

10- Flannel Baby Blankets (Charlotte Stevens)
  5- Flannel Blankets – Rehabilitation Dept. (Donna Sturgess)
10- Palm Toys (Paula Fox and Pat Hawkins)
10- Hug- a- Pillows (Paula Fox)
  5- Crocheted Baby Hats (Maryann Reitz)
  1- Crocheted Adult Shawl (Laura Shively)

MISSOURI BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER

10- Flannel Baby Blankets (Annette Ravens)
  5- Flannel Blankets – Pediatric Dept. (Donna Sturgess)
10- Palm Toys ( Paula Fox and Pat Hawkins)
10- Hug- a- Pillows (Paula Fox)
  5- Crocheted Baby Hats (Maryann Reitz)
15- Mother/Baby Scent Pads (Paula Fox and Pat Hawkins)

Our deliveries continue to be made during the COVID pandemic, thanks to Sarah Funaiole at Mercy and Laura Childers at Missouri Baptist Medical Center for meeting me at the curb to collect our donations, and getting them to the various departments. Thanks also, to all the craft volunteers for their time and talent in making the crafts.

It is our pleasure to donate these items to provide, in our small way, some additional comfort to your patients.

Regards,
Paula Fox
New Outlook Pioneers
Comforting Crafts Coordinator

Submitted by Judy Herbst for Paula Fox

Southwest Chapter 136 – Eastern Missouri Council – Council President Judy Herbst’s Husband Passed Away

Harry “Glen” Herbst
He was a member of St. Louis Family Church, a Board of Director Emeritus at Pond Athletic Association, retired Associate Engineer at Lucent Technologies/AT&T/Western Electric, cherished youth baseball and softball coach, a Mineral Area College Alumnus, proud Vietnam Veteran, and a devoted Kentucky Wildcat fan.

Beloved husband to Judy Herbst of Wildwood, Missouri; loving father of Dionna (Austin) Helfers of Labadie, Missouri; Todd (Tanya) Norman of Cape Coral, Florida; Lora (Monty) Duke of Wingo, Kentucky; dear brother of Mary (Terry) Mabery of Highland, Illinois; brother-in-law to Larry Richard of Town and Country, Missouri; Tammy (Jerry) Hall of Sarasota, Kentucky; loving Papa Glen to 8 grandchildren: Ryan (Brandi) Duke, Lindsay (Matt) Ross, Alex Carollo, Marcus Norman, Brody Norman, William Helfers, Addison Helfers, Carson Helfers; 7 great grandchildren: Levi Frizzell, Abigail Frizzell, Jonah Duke, Georgia Duke, Hannah Ross, Paige Ross, Kyle Ross; uncle to Tanner Hall of Sarasota, Kentucky; Tyler Hall of Wingo, Kentucky; Shelley (Chris) Ball of Valparaiso, Indiana; Brett Mabery of York, Nebraska; great uncle to Michael (Romi) Ball of Summerville, South Carolina; Brandon Ball of Summerville, South Carolina; Bryce, Payton and Juliana Ball of Valparaiso, Indiana, Cousin to many, a loving “Papa Glen” and friend to everyone he met. He was the proud son of the late Earl and Irene Herbst.

Services at St. Louis Family Church, Chesterfield, Missouri, Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., Burial will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the youth baseball and softball program at Pond Athletic Association, P.O. Box 111, Wildwood, MO 63040. Visitation at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Missouri, Monday, September 28, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, September 27, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Pond Athletic Association in Wildwood, Missouri.

Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory
14960 Manchester Road
Holloway, Ballwin, Missouri

Submitted by New Outlook Region Director Elaine Housley

Southwest Chapter 136 – Eastern Missouri Council

Comforting Crafts Projects – Eastern Missouri Council

Delivery of Pioneer Crafts to Mercy Hospital and Missouri Baptist Medical Center

In keeping with the requirements associated with COVID-19, the following donations made by the following volunteers, our May delivery was delayed. Through special arrangements, the deliveries were made on Wednesday, August 5, 2020.

MERCY

10- Flannel Baby Blankets (Annette Ravens)
5- Flannel Blankets -Rehabilitation Department (Annette Ravens)
1- Crocheted Baby Afghan (Dottie Dunker)
2- Crocheted Adult Shawls (Laura Shively)
10- Crocheted Baby Hats (Phyllis Huddleston and Maryann Reitz)
10- Hug -a- Pillows (Paula Fox)
10- Palm Toys (Pat Hawkins and Paula Fox)

MISSOURI BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER

10- Flannel Baby Blankets (Annette Ravens)
5- Flannel Blankets- Pediatric Department (Annette Ravens)
10- Incubator Pad Covers (Paula Fox)
1- Crocheted Baby Afghan (Dottie Dunker)
10- Crocheted Baby Hats (Phyllis Huddleston and Maryann Reitz)
15- Mother/Baby Scent Pads (Paula Fox)
10- Hug -a- Pillows (Paula Fox)
10- Palm Toys (Pat Hawkins and Paula Fox)

It is our pleasure to donate these items to provide in our small way, some additional comfort to your patients.

A special thank you to Sara Funaiola and Susan Smith for making arrangements for the deliveries.

Paula Fox
New Outlook Pioneers
Comforting Crafts Coordinator
706-669-0857

Submitted by council president Judy Herbst for Paula Fox Project Coordinator

Southwest Chapter 136 – Eastern Missouri Council

Comforting Crafts Project

The Eastern Missouri Council provides calming and comfort to adults, teens, pre-teens, toddlers and babies who are patients at Mercy Hospital, 615 S. Ballas Rd.; Missouri Baptist Medical Center, 3015 N. Ballas Rd. and SSM Health/ St. Joseph’s Hospital, 300 Medical Plaza, St. Louis, Missouri.

In keeping with the requirements associated with COVID -19, the following donations made by the following volunteers, our April delivery was delayed. Through special arrangements, the deliveries were made on Wednesday, August 5, 2020.

MERCY

10- Flannel Baby Blankets (Toni Forth)
5- Flannel Blankets – Rehabilitation Department (Donna Sturgess)
1- Crocheted Baby Afghan (Dottie Dunker)
2- Crocheted Adult Shawls (Laura Shively)
10- Crocheted Baby Hats ( Phyllis Huddleston and Maryann Reitz)
10- Hug-a-Pillows (Paula Fox)
10- Palm Toys ( Pat Hawkins and Paula Fox)

MISSOURI BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER

10- Flannel Baby Blankets (Charlotte Stevens)
5- Flannel Blankets- Pediatric Department
10- Incubator Pad Covers (Paula Fox)
1- Crocheted Baby Afghan (Dottie Dunker)
10- Crocheted Baby Hats ( Phyllis Huddleston and Maryann Reitz)
15- Mother/Baby Scent Pads (Paula Fox)
10- Hug-a-Pillows (Paula Fox)
10- Palm Toys (Pat Hawkins and Paula Fox)

It is our pleasure to donate these items to provide, in our small way, some additional comfort to your patients.

A special thank you to Sarah Funaiola and Susan Smith for making arrangements for the deliveries.

Paula Fox
New Outlook Pioneers
Comforting Crafts Coordinator
706-669-0857
pmfox2003@yahoo.com

Submitted by president Judy Herbst for Paula Fox Project Coordinator