Archives 2015
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n Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 the Nova 5 Chapter of the Pioneers participated in the “Make A Difference Day Project”. It was done for the “Veterans in Command” who provide housing for homeless veterans.These houses are run by “Veterans in Command”, a Queens-based nonprofit that provide homes for returning servicemen struggling to find affordable places to live in the city. There are 62,900 homeless veterans sleeping in shelters, according to Larry Robertson, president of the organization, who oversees three houses in Jamaica, Queens, where about twenty seven vets live. Robertson, a retired maintenance worker for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, started “Veterans in Command” in 2010.
“We get calls every day to see if we have space,” he said. “The veterans have jobs, but they need a place to stay. Rent is so high in New York. They can’t afford it.
“A lot of young men and women come back from serving their country and it’s difficult for them to find housing and find jobs,” said Marlon Rice of Black Veterans for Social Justice, which receives federal money to help the veterans with housing costs. “We make sure the veterans are on a budget and saving money,” Rice said. “The whole idea is to get them back to independent living.”
The Nova 5 Pioneers provided them with household items such as sheet sets, warm blankets, warm socks, bath towels, bath soaps, wash cloth, dish towels, toilet tissue, paper towels, toothpaste, disinfectant, cleaning supplies, dishwashing liquid etc.
Volunteers representing the Queens Council also combined their “Thanksgiving project” with the “Make a Difference Day Project.” The Veterans were given 4 turkeys with seasonings they requested because they wanted to cook for themselves along with Cranberry sauce, bags of potatoes, bags of carrots, butter, orange juice, aluminum foil pans and Reynolds wrap etc.
Eight volunteers from the Nova 5 Chapter participated including Past President Eddie Williamson, incoming Vice President Sheila Etheridge, Gradle Wallace, Jacqueline Wallace, Whitney White, Yvonne Rowe, Michelle Fisher and Bob Swire. Lynette Anthony was also involved in the shopping.
It was a very informative and fulfilling project.
TRUE THANKSGIVING FOR OUR VETS: Nova 5 shows true appreciation for our veterans as volunteers deliver everything but the kitchen table to provide a memorable Thanksgiving holiday at “VETERANS IN COMMAND” on Tuesday, November 24th, 2015.This organization, with Larry Robertson at the helm as president, assists homeless veterans, helping to find housing and a job as well as encouraging them to budget and save money.
Turkeys with seasonings, Cranberry sauce, potatoes, carrots, butter, orange juice and even foil pans and reynolds wrap were par for the celebration.
Volunteers, past president, Eddie Williamson, incoming vice president, Sheila Etheridge, Gradle Wallace, Jacqueline Wallace, Whitney White, Yvonne Rowe, Michelle Fisher and Bob Swire along with our Vice President, Lynette Anthony who was involved in the shopping.
Job well done.
NOVA 5 STEPS UP FOR OUR VETS: Volunteers from our chapter descended on 395 Flatbush Ave. Extension on Friday, November 13th for the Nova 5 annual fundraiser for our wounded heroes.Linda Rubin, Gary Levine, Lydia Kirchner and Eddie Williamson raised $369.00 which was matched by our chapter bringing the total to $738.00 to benefit The Fisher House. This organization provides homes around the hospitals of entry to our wounded heroes and their families until they are stable and able to return to their homes.
CONGRATULATIONS SHEILA ETHERIDGE The 
Nova 5 Chapter of the New Vision Pioneers would like to extend a warm welcome to its new incoming Vice President, Sheila Etheridge.
NOVA 5 HELPS READY OUR KIDS FOR SCHOOL AT A FUN EVENT: Nova 5 Pioneers participated in a Community Day 
and Health Fair on September 12, 2015. at the Springfield Gardens United Methodist Church along with Metro Plus Health and Northshore LIJ Manhasset.
There was a outdoor concert, food, fun and school supplies distribution not only from the Pioneers but from the church also. In attendance was Jacqueline Wallace, Judy Palmer and Gradle Wallace.
Pictured is Jacqueline Wallace
NOVA 5 CHAPTER, COUNCILS AND CLUBS SUPPORT OUR TROOPS: Upon hearing that the shelves were empty at the Outreach Center at the Harborview VA hospital in Manhattan Eileen Palazzola, secretary to Manhattan Council, took action. With the help of all the NY councils and our chapter including our Chapter President, Erica Brown, Vice President, Lynette Anthony, Chapter office manager, Gradle Wallace and also Ron Spaulding, Leon DeSimone and John Lynch who delivered the goods to the center where we were able to make a differance. We shopped, collected and delivered household items of pots & pans, dishes, utensils, sheets & towels, coffee & tea pots, toasters toiletries, pillows & blankets, long johns and baby items. This center was severly damaged during hurricane Sandy and was just reopening. They provide an outreach center to veterans going home for the first time while receiving treatment and also a center for local needy and homeless veterans. The staff and vets at the center were truly overjoyed at the thoughtfulness and generosity of the Pioneers. Bless our Troops. Bless all who volunteered.
NOVA 5 REMEMBERS WILLIE WILLIAMS: It is with sadness that we announce the passing of a true pioneer on August 26th. Willie is well known through out the pioneer leadership community but especially in our chapter’s executive board. He has held many positions culminating in Willie being awarded the Hall of Fame designation. He brought joy to all who knew him. Nova 5 was represented at his memorial celebration by Vice President, Lynette Anthony, Gradle Wallace, Sheila Etheridge, Lula Fisher, Linda Rubin, Yasmin Ali and Eddie Williamson.
NOVA 5 PIONEERS VOLUNTEER AT BACK TO SCHOOL RALLY: Those crazy, hazy, lazy days of summer are almost history and so it is no surprise to see our chapter out and about at the “BACK TO SCHOOL RALLY” held on Saturday, August 15th. Volunteers Lynette Anthony, Rosana Lee Spaulding, Gradle Wallace, her sister, and Ron Spaulding met at 11a.m. to partnership with the event sponsor, The Cathedral of Greater Faith. These children are ready for coming school days. A day well spent.