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SISTER CHAPTERS ALONG WITH NOVA 5 WILL COME TOGETHER WITH KINNARD FOR 2010 VICE PRESIDENT'S PROJECT

Make new Pioneer friends and help individuals ages eight to 25 who are in wheelchairs or have visual impairment enjoy a weekend of sports and social events. This year's Vice President's Project, hosted by the Kinnard Pioneers, is the Sports Jamboree in Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, June 24-27.

Individual events include races, archery, horseshoes, Frisbee throw, and basketball free throw. Fun team events include wheelchair basketball games and a softball game for blind participants. Contestants can compete in as many events as they want. During the award ceremony on Sunday, every participant receives individual acknowledgment, a trophy, and a medal!

Volunteers are needed for construction, registration, hosting and security. For more information and to register call Nova 5 Chapter Vice President Dalia Santiago at our pioneer office 212-675-5931, Tuesday thru Thursday 12pm - 5pm.

HEAR YE!.....HEAR YE!!

CONGRATULATIONS...

TO ALL OUR HAPPY RETIREES

If you are already a pioneer member and are retiring you will become a lifetime member of the pioneers at no cost to you. Come and join one of our eight (8) Life Member Clubs in the five boroughs and volunteer with us in your communities. Travel with us to exotic places across the United States and around the World. Join one of our hobby clubs or perhaps you might prefer to work with our education group and give back to our children, There is something for everyone so why not stay connected. FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING LOCATIONS AND HOURS CALL THE PIONEER OFFICE: 212-675-5931 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITES: www.verizonnova5pioneers.org or www.verizonpioneers.org .

ROLL OUT THOSE LAZY, CRAZY, HAZY DAYS OF SUMMER WITH NOVA 5

Nova 5 Chapter will sponsor a day of fun and fellowship at Lake Compounce, New England's Family Theme Park in Bristol, Connecticut, (www.lakecompounce.com) on Saturday, August 7th, 2010. The fun begins at 11:00 a.m. and continue through out that day until 8:oo p.m. $42.00 per person (Children 3 and under are free) will include entry to the park, free parking and an "all you can eat" lunch buffet. The menu will offer everything from BBQ Chicken, hamburgers, mac and cheese, hot dogs, kielbasa and sauerkraut to jello, Ice cream and fountain drinks. Then your off to the oodles of rides and fun events. WOW!!!! This is the perfect opportunity to get together and have a family fun day with your fellow pioneers. Everyone is welcome to join us.

This is a "Pre-Paid event" so get your tickets now. The last day for reservations is July 23rd, 2010. Bus transportation can be provided for an additional fee and will depart from 1095 Avenue of the Americans at 9:00 a.m. sharp!!

Anyone interested can call the pioneer office at (212) 675-5931 or Ron Spaulding at (516) 477-7516.

QUEENS COUNCIL OFFER GOLD KEY TO EDUCATION IN THEIR BACKPACKS

Queens Council of the Nova 5 Chapter donated 50 back packs to the "HOGGS" program, which is an after school program Located on the premises of St Gabriels School. The director of this program is Darnell Childs located at 26-25 97th Street, East Elmhurst, NY, 11369. The children were excited to learn that Verizon's Telecom Pioneers had donated back packs and were looking forward to making good use of them. We spoke about the importance of volunteering and giving back to our community.

The executive director, Darnell Childs, along with his assistant shanel who both look forward to working with us in the future also noted that On Thanksgiving and Christmas they open their doors to feed the homeless and would love for the pioneers to assist in any way.
Needless to say the afternoon was nothing less then wonderfully rewarding for everyone. The picture above speaks for itself as the children show off their backpacks along with volunteer Sharon Brown.

By: Sharon Brown

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HOORAY!...OUR VP, DALIA SANTIAGO IS AWARDED VERIZON'S EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Congratulations are in order for our own Nova 5 Chapter Vice-President, Dalia Santiago who was designated "Employee of the Month" for her outstanding contributions to the community by our sponsor, Verizon. It was announced in the Verizon Regional Newsletter on June 30th 2010 and the following is her story courtesy of that newsletter.

Dalia Santiago has had the opportunity to work in various departments in Verizon including Payroll, Human Resources and OSP Engineering. Dalia is currently working as a Drafter with OSP Engineering and enjoys giving back to her community in a variety of ways. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Verizon Nova 5 Pioneers—an association of Verizon active volunteers. Her position with the Pioneers gives Dalia an opportunity to engage with the Verizon Foundation so she is excited when she can join organizations like Community of Mayors, an organization that provides recreational therapy for kids with special needs. Dalia and the kids have a great time participating in events and activities that include special outings to amusement parks and museums. Dalia especially enjoyed participating in Operation Santa Claus at JFK Airport. The program hosted over 4,000 kids with special needs who were served lunch and refreshments, received toys and greeted Macy’s Santa Claus, who arrived via Delta Air Lines shuttle.

Dalia also partners with the Foundation in serving as the campaign coordinator for initiatives at her Flatbush Avenue office including Showers for the Shelter, Tools for School, Hopeline, and Season Readings. Dalia is undeterred by the amount of time required to prepare and participate in special needs programs or Verizon volunteer programs because, as she explains, “it is great to show others how to give back to the community.”

Dalia also recognizes the importance of supporting Verizon’s sustainability efforts. She recently volunteered to support “Go GREENgineering,” an E-waste, acid recycling initiative that helps reduce, reuse and recycle Verizon-owned assets. Dalia and the members of the Network Engineering department are making great strides in the clean up of all abandoned and unwanted equipment in Brooklyn by collecting and properly disposing of monitors, printers and fax machines, etc. Pictured above: Dalia dressed as Jelly Bean the clown in the Community of Mayors event held in Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn for autistic and disabled kids.

NOVA 5 STEPS UP FOR AIDS WALK

Our Nova 5 Chapter in partnership with the many other organizations responded to the call for volunteers to help out with the annual New York City Aids walk. On what was a beautifully pleasant Sunday, May 16, 2010, some fourteen pioneer volunteers manned their assigned station in Central Park where they were to offer juices, bananas,chips and ice cream to the appreciative walkers. We applaud all who participated, walkers, sponsors, producers and volunteers alike for their efforts for such a wonderful cause.

A "Job well Done" goes out to our Project leader and Chapter Community Service chair Sheila Etheridge and volunteers Ron Spaulding, Lynette Anthony, Mathew Mahoney, Sharon Brown, Joanne LaBlanc, Edward Evelyn, Anthony Ealante, Loretta Ricks, Gina Manon, Ron Pina, Eddie Williamson, and partners Annette B. Thomas as well as Nigel Dickson.

By: Eddie Williamson

NLS HONNORS THE PIONEERS FOR 50 YEARS OF SERVICE:

On May 16, the Pioneers were honored for their half century of support for the Talking Book Program by the National Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) at its annual meeting in Des Moines, Iowa. Gabe Olah, co-head regional coordinator, accepted the plaque recognizing the Pioneers for dedicating 50 years to the Talking Book program. To date, Pioneers across the nation have saved NLS, a branch of the National Library of Congress, more than $216 million by repairing 3.6 million machines.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Olah said, "This represents 50 years of volunteering to better the quality of life of people that we don't even know. Next year, the Pioneers celebrate their 100-year anniversary in Boston. We will be here at least another 100 years answering the call of those in need. On behalf of all Pioneers nationwide, we thank you for this plaque."

*Story thanks to the Communicator*

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