Save the Date: Experience Living History with Verizon Thinkfinity

Youth Town Hall with the Greensboro Four: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Woolworth Lunch Counter Student Sit-Ins Live Webcast - February 4, 2010, 1:30–3:00 p.m.

The Smithsonian National Museum of American History is offering a remarkable living history experience! The three surviving members of the Greensboro Four, Jibreel Khazan (formerly Ezell Blair, Jr.), Franklin McCain and Joseph McNeil, will participate in an oral history about their bold action that ignited student involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Watch for more details on Thinkfinity.org.

Pioneers coordinated the Season's readings campaign at 251 Locke Drive in Marlboro this year led by Ann Cove with the help of many employees who either donated a new book or helped support the care packages to the troops which also included one of the newly donated books.
We began with a two day book fair for which we received $450 worth of books to the campaign. Employees participated by donating books in the amount of $300. In conjuction with the seasons reading program we also participated in a drive for the troops and sent 33 care packages off to the troops in Aphganistan. Each care package contained a special card with note of thanks from an employee at Locke drive and one of the donated books from the drive. All in all the seasons reading program this year was very successful.

Jim Crosbie and Mike Carroll at New Hope Gourmet Chefs event On November 20, Pioneers of the WM. J. Denver Chapter participated and supported New Hope’s 20^th Annual Gourmet Guys night. New Hope is one of the Chapter’s Domestic Violence prevention partners and this is just one of the many events where Pioneers had an opportunity to provide support for the agency and all they do.

Pioneer Jim Crosbie graciously volunteered to be a Gourmet Guy along with 54 other local community leaders and men who show their support for New Hope’s mission by donating their time and culinary talents to this well attended event. Jim made his “famous” 3 Bean Bonanza (recipe attached) and there wasn’t a drop left at the end of the night. President Deb Foley along with board members Diane Rodger and her partner Walter, Betty Viens and her partner Stan, Jim’s wife Jeanne and her friend Carol attended the event. A sampling of over 25 different dishes was provided along with desserts and coffee. Everyone at the table raved about the food and no one went away hungry. The Chapter donated a Gift Basket for the raffle table where the Verizon Pioneers were identified as the donor as well as we were mentioned in the program. Over 250 supporters attended this sold out event at the local ELKS lodge for a night of culinary delights, raffles and drawings to support the ever increasing demand for New Hope’s services.

We are looking forward to participating in the 21^st Gourmet Guys night and maybe get a few more Pioneers to bring their culinary talents to the table! click here for a copy of his recipe want to have some of the other recipes click here

On November 5th, 2009, seventy Pioneers, Partners and Guests gathered at the Publick House in Sturbridge, Massachusetts to celebrate the 87^th Annual meeting of the William J. Denver Chapter of Verizon Pioneers. This year’s theme was Community Partnerships where seven agencies View complete story and pics

Verizon Pioneer Bowl-a-Thon - On November 1^st, 2009 the WJ Denver Chapter of Verizon Pioneers held their 2^nd Annual Bowl-a-thon supporting Markman Children’s Programs at North Bowl, in N. Attleboro, MA.

The theme this year was taken from Markman’s Markie the Cow who is trying to help us raise some MOOLA. Members of the bowling committee along with friends, family and staff attended this FUNdraiser to support the on-going efforts to relocate Markman’s programs to a single center. Twelve teams consisting of fifty three bowlers bowled from noon to five raising $2000.00 for the agency.

Thanks to the generous tee shirt sponsors, Bristol County Savings Bank and Verizon Pioneers, all of the bowlers received a MooLa Tee shirt. Thanks to Cardinal Marketing for developing our Moola Bowl-a-thon logo.

In addition, Fast Signs provided the sponsor banners which were hung at the event, Dominos Pizza provided the pizza for all the bowlers and North Bowl provided their excellent services during the event.

CAT 98.1 radio station entertained us with their music and a free drawing. A raffle drawing ev Bowling team ery fifteen minutes added a level of excitement to the event.

There were 2-$100 Lottery ticket raffles and a Silent Auction which helped us to reach our fundraising goals. In conjunction with the Bowl-a-thon there was a BJs Wholesale Club membership offer which provided Club members the opportunity to save on a new or renewal membership, extend their membership for 15 months and in return the agency received a monetary donation for each form received.

Many thanks to all the volunteers, donors and sponsors of the event. With your help, the event was a successful one for a 2^nd year and we are look forward to your support for an even bigger and better event in 2010.

If there is anyone who would like to be on the 2010 Bowl-a-thon planning committee or donate/sponsor the event, Contact Deb Foley at 508-272-4732. Thanks. Click here to view more pics

New Hope recognized the Denver Chapter as it 's Community Partner - ATTLEBORO - The focus of New Hope's annual meeting at the Highland Country Club was on those whom the agency says make possible its life-saving and life-enhancing programs.

Reflecting on such programs, it was noted that during its fiscal year 2009, New Hope served more than 11,000 individuals, provided shelter to 145 adults and 59 children, answered 3,486 hotline calls, provided legal advocacy in the courts to 1,754 individuals with its SAFEPLAN Advocates, provided counseling services to 295 adults and 55 children, and provided education and outreach services to 4,968 individuals. To see complete article click here

360 Thesauruses donated - On August 22, the Providence Club participated in the Inner City back to school event held at the Nathaniel Greene School in Providence R.I. 360 Thesaurus's were given ouT.Students were from the following schools; Classical High School, Maguire, Ricci Middle School, Nathaniel Greene Middle School, Nathan Bishop, Mount Pleasant High School, Hope, Central High School, George J West, Camden Street School, R I School for the Dear, Hopkins Middle School, Alvarez High School, EQ High School, Head Start, Pleasant View, UCAP Providence, Oliver Hazard Perry Middle School, Times 2 Academy, Brigham Middle School, Springfield Middle School, Johnston Senior High School, Essex Hopkins, Met High School, Hanley High School, Acer Messer, Laurel School, Robert F Kennedy Middle School, Gilbert Stuart, Dutemple, DelSesto Middle School, Harry Kiziarian Middle School,Veazy Street School, Adelaide Street School, Feinstein High School, Wyman School, Paul Cuffy Middle School, Child First, Anthony Carnevale Middle School, Providence Academy of International Study, Highlander Middle School, Chambers School, Fogarty, Kent Heights, East Providence High School, Edward Martin, Gladstone, Roger Williams, Martin Luther King and Laurel Hill Middle School.
pictured are l to r: Sam Howells, Linda Winman, Marge Martin, John Winman.

The W J Denver Pioneer 2009 summer newsletter is here. To view in PDF format click here

New Leadership Shoot-a-thon - The Berkshire Council held our Exercise Your Mind and Body Shoot-a-thon on June 23 at New Leadership Charter School. The shoot-a-thon helped to raise money for the upkeep of NCL’s mobile computer lab. Children from Grade levels 6-11 participated in the event. The kids tried to shoot as many baskets as possible in one minute and had a blast. Over 40 children participated that day. They each received a Verizon Pioneer t-shirt and some kids won backpacks full of goodies for the most baskets shot. It was the last day of school and the children were having their friends autograph the back of their shirts. The shoot a thon was the final piece of our project in which we provided the school with much needed gym/health equipment and a mobile pc lab with four laptops for the classes to share. view more pictures

WJ Denver Chapter has a NEW way for you to contribute to your favorite Projects and Programs. On-Line Donations may now be made on our website by clicking Project Donations.
Click here to go to our online donation page.

The W J Denver Pioneer 2009 summer newsletter is here. To view in PDF format click here

Verizon TelecomPioneers support Verizon's FTTP/FiOS vision - see how you can make a difference! GO TO: www.verizon.com/ma for Massachusetts and www.verizon.com/rhodeisland Rhode Island.

Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP)

Do you volunteer for the PTA? Tutor children or adults? Coach soccer? Raise money for community organizations?

The Volunteer Incentive Program recognizes employees' contribution of time and talent to nonprofit organizations. Under the program, employees are eligible to apply for a grant on behalf of the qualified organization where they volunteered 50 hours or more during the year. The Foundation rewards these employee volunteers with a $750 check for presentation to the designated organization. Employees may request VIP grants on behalf of two separate organizations for a total of $1,500 each year. view poster and links