Denver Chapter receives $5,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation - Happy Feet and Minds More than 90% of the children in the targeted schools are on subsidized meal plans, meaning their home income is at, or below, poverty level. Denver Chapter of Verizon Pioneers wants to make sure these very needy children have the educational tools needed to be successful. In addition, the children identified by the school or community agency are clearly in need of back to school footwear. It is our goal to provide the educational tools and resources to help these children feel they are on an equal par with others more fortunate and give them a “step up” in the learning and esteem category. The Pioneers, with help from employees and community partnerships, will strive to make a significant impact on the lives of these children as they begin the school year on a positive note.

Each of the 9 clubs will be given $550 from the Competitive Grant to purchase sneakers, socks and branded school supplies for the targeted children.

May 2010: Pioneers will work with school and community leaders to determine 25 children in each of the 9 Clubs who will receive the back to school footwear and school supplies.

May 2010: Pioneers will publicize this effort in the Chapter Newsletter directing Pioneers and Employees to visit our website where they will be able to support one or more children with their donation by clicking on a Boy or Girl’s image and age. Donations will be categorized by $5 Socks; $10 School Supplies; $15 Sneakers or $25 for all of the above, a $5 donation discount.

July 2010: Pioneers will publicize this effort in the Communicator directing Pioneers and Employees to visit our website where they will be able to support one or more children with their donation by clicking on a Boy or Girl’s image and age. Donations will be categorized by $5 Socks; $10 School Supplies; $15 Sneakers or $25 for all of the above, a $5 donation discount.

The three External Affairs managers will be asked to broadcast this to employees in their areas.

August 2010: Pioneers will sign up for the Tools for Schools in buildings in our chapter area and communicate that employee donations will be used to support the Happy Feet and Minds project.

August 2010: Pioneers will shop for the footwear and school supplies and deliver them to each of the partner schools.

How can you help? Pioneers and employees will have an opportunity to volunteer for this project through the Tools for Schools initiative, on-line donations (click here) and assist with shopping for the children. Please contact your Council/club president.

Denver Chapter receives $5,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation - 100 Ways of Giving-Celebrating 100 years of Pioneer Living Reading is Fundamental, or so the literacy tagline goes. We all know that reading from school age to old age provides the power to keep our minds engaged and alert, to focus on tasks and expand our vocabulary. It helps us to understand different ways of life and different ideas. It helps us learn to communicate. We hope to bring to the forefront the importance of reading through our volunteer efforts and proposed funding. To communicate and expand our Pioneer mission and vision in celebration of our past 100 years of giving and our next 100 years of Pioneer living.

From January 2010 to May of 2011, Denver Chapter will be celebrating the 100^th Anniversary of Pioneering with monthly projects designed to embrace the number 100. Key Chapter projects will be highlighted each month, impacting 100 or more children or agency clients by our in-kind donations, volunteer services and integrating Literacy as a key component of each project. click here to view more information

The Providence LMC announces the winners of their 2010 Providence 20 Week Club winners.
click here to view list

Central Mass Council paints at the Fannie E Proctor School in Northboro. Girl Scouts and their parents spent a day sprucing up the Proctor School playground with a Pioneer Playground MAP of the USA and a Solar System and several games. see more pics here

Central Mass Council participated in the 100 Ways of Giving by donating food to Jeremiah's food drive to support their community food bank. Pic on the left is Walter Spencer, Jeremiah's Executive Director and Bruce Broadard, Central Ma. Club President pic in the middle is Bruce Broadard a Shaw's representative who is coordinating with Walter to get donations in the Shaw's Supermarket. submitted by Jim Crosbie

Central Mass Council provides toiletries to Veterans Inc, in Worcester
Veterans Inc. of Worcester provided a wish list to the Central Mass Council volunteers and they collected donations of toiletries and $373. Volunteers shopped and made a delivery to the center. Pictured is Jim Crosbie (c) and Amanda Riik (r). submitted by Jim Crosbie

BJ's Application coming September 20-27, 2010

CALLING ALL CURRENT & NEW BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB MEMBERS

The Denver Chapter will be running a BJs Wholesale Club membership sign-up at

234 Washington St, Providence RI on September 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Main Lobby.

Here’s the deal:

You may open either a new Inner Circle Membership or extend/renew your existing Inner Circle membership at the discounted rate of $35 for 15 months. This includes one free household card.

The Rewards Membership is offered at the discounted rate of $70 for 15 months and includes one free household card also.

The Inner Circle membership is normally $45 for 12 months and the Rewards Membership is normally $90 for 12 months.

If you can’t make it but want to take part in the sign-up, log on to www.verizonwjdenverpioneers.org and click on BJ'S Membership. Print out the application and send it and your check made out to BJs Wholesale Club to the address listed on the application between September 20-September 27, 2010. The application will only be available on-line during that time.

Womens Center Luncheon Pioneers support Women of Excellence Recognition event -

Members of the Denver Chapter and Providence Club attended two events recently held by the Women’s Center of Rhode Island. This year’s key note speaker was Denise Brown, sister of Nicole Brown-Simpson. Pioneers had an opportunity to talk one-on-one with Ms. Brown at a reception the evening before the event and hear her the following day at the recogniton luncheon.

Attendees to the evening event are pictured (L-R Laura Martens from New Hope, Inc, Carol Baker, Denise Brown, Deb Foley and Marion Ward)

Women and men in the community as well as a former victim of violence were recognized for their commitment and strength to rise above their circumstances to become independent and free of abuse.

Denver Chapter and the Providence Club are proud supporters of the Women’s Center through their donation of items collected during Verizon’s Shower for the Shelter program which is held during the month of May. submitted by Deb Foley

Attleboro Senior receive computer training - During the week of April 19-23, members of the Attleboro Senior Center were recipients of Computer training sponsored by the Denver Chapter. The Chapter was approached by the Director for the Council on Aging in Attleboro and they felt it was a sound educational project to spend their money on. In addition, over 5000 flyers in their newsletter went out to area seniors identifying Verizon Pioneers as the sponsor of the training.

Deb Foley attended the session on April 21 which was held at the Bristol Community College campus in Attleboro. Deb showed everyone how to access the Verizon Pioneers and Denver Chapter websites.

When Deb introduced Thinkfinity ®, she was surprised to find out that the instructor, Tricia Svendsen, was a certified Thinkfinity ® facilitator.

A new Thinkfinity® networking relationship has developed as a result of this chance encounter.

The Council on Aging had such an overwhelming response to the training that they have 25 seniors in waiting and are looking for additional funding. They will be submitting a Verizon Foundation grant to fund this as an on-going offering to the senior community. pictured - Madeline McNeille (far left) and Tricia Svendsen (middle) assist the students in accessing the Verizon Pioneer and Thinkfinity® websites. submitted by Deb Foley

Springfield Forward "Tell Me Your Story" Over the past two years, with financial support from the Verizon Pioneers - W. J. Denver Chapter, Springfield Forward has developed the "Tell Me Your Story" program inspiring elementary school children to write stories about their lives, their dreams and experiences. click here to view complete story submitted by Betty Viens

Thank you received for Girl Scout Cookies sent to troops

From: Jessica Pedraza

To: chris casino

Sent: Monday, April 19, 2010 10:22 AM

Subject: Thank you

Hello my name is SPC Jessica Pedraza and i just wanted to say thank you for sending us deployed soldiers cards, cookies, and helmet liners. I am here with my mom and it can be hard sometimes out here but having people like the Girl Scouts supporting us makes it so much easier out here. The amount of support I have received on this deployment humbles me. I plan to email pictures so you can show those hard working girl scouts what we do out here. Once again, I would like to thank you all very much for everything you have all done. You can reach me at this email at any time.

Sincerely,

SPC Pedraza, Jessica

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.

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