Bingo is the name of the game as Manhattan Council shares in the hosting of this fun event which took place September 25th 2008 at St. Margaret's Senior center at 49 Fulton Street, lower east side of Manhattan. Manhattan council volunteers, Joe Dunn, Eileen Palazzola, Joanne Finck, Chastidy Bonilla along with council President Ron Spaulding and VP Lynette Anthony presented gifts, chips, coffee and cookies to some sixty senior friends.  Ron reports that everyone was a winner at this game and that includes our dedicated and precious volunteers. Volunteer Joe Dunn is pictured here enjoying the game with a senior friend

                                                                             "BINGO TO MANHATTAN COUNCIL"

                                                                               By: Eddie Williamson                                                                                                                                                                                                  

REGION GRANT FOR QUEENS COUNCIL  AND THEIR PROJECT, "FORGOTTEN VICTIMS" 

            It took our volunteers a couple of months of meticulous planning, negotiation, research and basic leg work to bring this special project, the "FORGOTTEN VICTIMS" to it's fruition on Saturday December 6, 2008 and Wednesday, December 10, 2008.  Queens Council had just the pioneer to spearhead the project with Ray Quinn, their new education chairperson. 

Forgotten Victim's refers to more then 350,000 people each year who have been impacted by violence and served by Safe Horizon. The Queens Child Advocacy Center is a program of Safe Horizon the nation's leading victim assistance, advocacy and violence prevention organization. This facility located in Forest Hills, Queens serves abused and other children in crisis. They provide a comforting child friendly environment for interviews as well as medical and psychological evaluation. They are self contained with law enforcement including detectives, prosecutors, victim advocates, pediatricians, mental health professionals, caseworkers along with a wide network of help organizations all in this same building.  (Above photo from left: Rosie Castillio, Myra Shapiro, Gradle Wallace, Lula Sisco, Ray Quinn)

With funds made possible by our Verizon Telecom Pioneers region's competitive grant, Ray along with pioneer volunteers and CWA 1106 union members were able to build, install and paint or cover shelving in at least four rooms including the waiting room for children. The pioneers supplied the organization with a digital camera to use in conjunction with various investigations, supplied and installed a new flat screen TV with VCR-DVD for the children's entertainment while in the waiting room. Our pioneers also provided Safe Horizon with 44 softly stuffed Courage Lions, 44 books entitled "Courage Pockets and 44 musical audio books with encouraging songs and music. Duffy the lion as he is called has a special pocket on its stomach where a child might perhaps put on paper their worry or worries and place it in the pocket which could be helpful for those who are treating as well as investigating any alleged case. We also provided hug-a-bears donated by our life member clubs. Two lap top computers were also donated for the children to use as a means of keeping up with school work, to use with Project Connect, Power up to read and other educational programs. Back packs were also provided along with dictionaries, scholastic books in both english and spanish. One hundred $4.00 metro cards were also provided for the families in need.

On December 10th we had the presentation. Myra Shapiro the Senior Director of the Queens Advocacy Center and her assistant Rosie Castillio gave us a tour of the counseling rooms and medical office and thanked the Verizon Telecom Pioneers on behalf of the many children who will benefit from their special Christmas gift made possible by the Queens Council, Nova 5 Chapter. Special thanks to our volunteers, Ray Quinn, Ruben Patterson, Rich Gnolfo, Judy Diaz, Nick Nikalaros, Billy Gallagher, Gradle Wallace, Chapter President, Lula Sisco and Eddie Williamson.  

 (Pictured right: Ray Quinn, Rich Gnolfo, Nick Nikalaros, Billy Gallagher)                                     

 By: Eddie Williamson and Gradle Wallace

 IT'S SOUL AND INSPIRATION, IT'S THE NYC MARATHON

                             It is Sunday, November 2, 8:00 a.m., there is a cool even cold breeze as the sun proudly and warningly appears to open for  the headline performance of The New York City Marathon.  Nova 5 chapter in partnership with our friends Team in Training from The Lukemia and Lymphoma Society, totaling some 130 in number take their place, as in years past, at the 25 mile mark nestled inside beautiful Central Park. We are the supporting performers in this extravaganza. Our already excited pioneer volunteers, Marie Lopez, Nelson Roldan, Mary Lynch, Eddie Williamson, Lynette Anthony, Helen Wojichowsky, office manager, Gradle Wallace, our Chapter President, Lula Sisco and our project leader and Manhattan President, Ron Spaulding prepare to offer support with our wild cheers of encouragement along with the offering of water and gatorade to help   re-hydrate the all inspiring as well magnificent runners.  Ron, thanks to our chapter, provided a well deserved sandwich to sustain our volunteers through out what can only be described as heart warming and wonderfully rewarding day. The runners as well as all the volunteers all finished winners on this day.  Way to go Nova 5.                                                

        He was awarded the purple heart and became an inspiration to other wounded warriors. He died unexpectedly on April 11th, 2008 after a routine surgery at the age 22.

        This fundraising event was to continue with what he had started and raise funds to help other burn families. The Mayor and council personal was there to present his mother and family a proclamation in honor of Merlin. Saturday was also his actual birthday. Special guest was David Blain to also help out with this event. Those that attended were Raisy the clown, Nappy the clown, Silly the clown and Verizon partner Christina Pun.

                                                            By: Ron Spaulding