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.

 

 

PIONEERS SPARK A HALF CENTURY OF SERVICE FOR THE TALKING BOOKS PROGRAM: 

“On behalf of James Billington, the Librarian of Congress, Frank Kurt Cylke, the National Library Service Director, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and the millions of Talking Book readers across North America, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for an extraordinary 50 years, for the skilled service of thousands of Pioneers who have kept the program’s record players, cassette players and now digital players in first class condition,” said Michael Katzman, Chief of NLS Materials. 

 

The Pioneers’ relationship with the National Library Service (NLS) began in 1960 and ten years later with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.  Since then, under the guidance of the Talking Books Repair Regional Coordinator’s Committee, volunteers have crystallized their long-established tradition of telephone service into an effective pattern of community service and have:

 

• repaired 3.6 million machines (72,000/year on average)
• contributed 7,200,000 hours in service
• contributed $150,120,000 worth of service based on the 2009 Independent Sector Rate of a Volunteer Hour of $20.85
• saved taxpayers $216 million based on NLS’s estimate of $60/machine repaired

 This program might not have lasted 50 days let alone 50 years if the sole benefit was repairing machines.  As with other Pioneers programs, the Talking Books Repair Program brings old colleagues together and introduces new friends…”and the coffee and doughnuts don’t hurt either,” chuckled Joe Tourtelot, Talking Book Volunteer.   

Each group has their own way of working, some repair machines at the regional libraries, some use space generously provided by the Pioneers Sponsoring Companies and some work at home; but they all have one thing in common – the work the repair group does directly benefits their local community. 

If you would like to help ensure that an ample supply of playback machines are available for Talking Book patrons and be a part of the longest running Pioneers project in the organization’s 100 year history, please contact your local Pioneers unit or the Pioneers Members Resource Center at 800-976-1914 or info@pioneersvolunteer.org.  

For more information on the Talking Book Program, please visit the Pioneers website at http://www.pioneersvolunteer.org/volunteer/pioneersprojects/pioneerspartnerships/libraryofcongress.aspx

 (Direct communiqué from The Library of Congress)

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 HONORS 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

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*