Thursday, December 15, 2011

Warm Holiday Wishes from Pioneers!

In 2011, Pioneers celebrated our 100th anniversary of helping those in need. As we look back on our past century of service, we are overwhelmed with thanks for your commitment, support and loyalty to our organization and the communities that rely on us year after year.

At this time of year, we are especially grateful for our dynamic network of Pioneers who continue to work in these final days of 2011 to brighten the Christmas and holiday season for all of our neighbors.  Thank you for your commitment as a Pioneer to making our world a better place.

As you make your year-end charitable contributions, we hope you will include the Pioneers among your charities of choice – a choice more important than ever.  Please support our local projects and programs by making a secure online donation.  As a not-for-profit organization, any contribution you make to the Pioneers is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

With your continued support, we will be able to meet the growing needs of our communities during these challenging times.  Thank you in advance and know that as a Pioneer you make a difference!

Warmest wishes and blessings to you and yours this holiday season.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Centennial Meeting Highlights

We truly enjoyed celebrating our 100-year anniversary with over 1,100 Pioneers on November 2 – 5 in Boston, MA. 

Several attendees (and those that were not able to join us) have asked for some of the information and links that were shared during the meeting. We've created a highlight page on our website. Enjoy!


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Lifetime Achievement Winners Honored at Centennial Celebration


Pioneers, the largest industry-related volunteer organization in the world, celebrated its centennial anniversary this year.  To commemorate 100 years of fellowship, loyalty and service, Pioneers International Headquarters developed a special award for our Centennial year.  This award signifies how Pioneering has grown over the years and continues to make a difference in communities across North America.

The Centennial Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to one individual from each Pioneers sponsor group for their extraordinary deeds throughout their time as a Pioneer. Nominees must have been active in Pioneering for a minimum of 20 years to be eligible for the award.

The winners of the Centennial Lifetime Achievement were recognized on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the Centennial Gala in Boston, Massachusetts. Winners were presented a specially designed Lifetime Achievement pin by Jim Schmit (Chairman of the Board, Pioneers) and Carey Wirtzfeld (Pioneers President & CEO) for going beyond the demands of everyday life and dedicate themselves to uplifting and improving the quality of life for others. The winners of the award are:

Fred Hampton, AT&T Pioneers

Jack Badcock, Bell Aliant Pioneers


Sheila O’Donoghue, Canadian Pioneers


Rawley Jackson, CenturyLink Pioneers


Mary P. Lefebvre, FairPoint Pioneers


William A. Reifsteck, Frontier Pioneers


Jack Wilson, New Outlook Pioneers


Phyllis Pearson, SaskTel Pioneers


Fred Jones, Telcordia Pioneers


Sarah DePaolo, Verizon Pioneers

Friday, November 4, 2011

November is Long Term Care Awareness Month

November is long-term care awareness month. It’s important to take a minute to think about your family’s overall financial plan and possible long-term care needs.

Long-term care insurance provides cash to cover the care you receive in a treatment facility or at home. It helps you maintain your independence by allowing you to participate in the decision making when it comes to the care you receive.

If you don’t think about it soon, your wallet may be hit with a big surprise. Traditional health insurance plans don’t cover the cost of long-term care expenses and these expenses can quickly deplete your nest egg if you’re not prepared.
 
Contact LTCR for more information on the Pioneers Long-Term Care insurance Program.

800-616-8759
http://www.myltcplan.com/pioneers

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Happy Birthday Pioneers!

Dear Fellow Pioneer,

Thanks to the enthusiasm and commitment of members like you, Pioneers has reached our landmark Centennial Anniversary - 100 years of sharing the rewards and fellowship that come with volunteering to make a difference. We have achieved a century of making a positive, tangible impact in our communities and count on the Pioneers spirit to ensure that our highly valued work continues into the future.

The telecommunications industry has made an everlasting impact on the lives of people. It continues to make an impact as it grows and changes every day. The same is true of Pioneering. You and your fellow Pioneers accomplish great things because of your commitment to making life better for the people of your community. That's a fact you should take great pride in. Just think of how many hearts we've touched through the past 100 years and how our own lives have been enriched in the process.

As we all come together to celebrate 100 years, I want to say thank you to each and every one of you for the part you played in this momentous occasion.

Yours in Pioneering,

Carey Wirtzfeld
President, Pioneers

Friday, October 28, 2011

Celebrate Pioneers Week

During the week of October 31-November 6, Pioneers across North America will celebrate their commitment to build stronger communities through volunteerism. Included in Pioneers Week is Pioneers Day, celebrated on November 2nd. This year, November 2nd is very special to all Pioneers, as it marks the anniversary of the organization’s founding in 1911.

As we celebrate Pioneers Week, Pioneers recall a century of dedication to service, fellowship and loyalty, the principals on which we were founded. Through the contributions of hundreds of thousands of Pioneers members, past and present, these principals remain as important to Pioneers today as when we were founded 100 years ago. Pioneers Week is an excellent time to reflect on our heritage and recommit ourselves to improving the quality of life for all people, especially as we celebrate our Centennial.

Everyone is encouraged to participate in Pioneers Week by visiting the VolunteerNow! section of our site to find out what events are planned in their local community.

Happy Pioneers Week and thank you for improving the places we live and work.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Make a Difference Day - October 22

Make A Difference Day is celebrated each year on the 4th Saturday in October and is the nation’s largest day of volunteering. Together with long-standing partner HandsOn Network, the generosity of Newman’s Own and hundreds of carrier newspapers, USA WEEKEND rallies millions in a single day to help change the world.

National recognition for volunteers

Helping others on Make A Difference Day — and submitting your project for award consideration — gives your favorite charity a chance to receive a $10,000 donation from Newman’s Own.

Each year, projects from across the country are honored for their contributions. Honorees are recognized in a special April 2012 issue coinciding with National Volunteer Week, led by Points of Light Institute. Award honorees will receive their awards that month at an event in Washington, D.C.

This year:
  • 10 National Honorees will receive a $10,000 charitable donation from Newman’s Own.
  • 3 City Awards  will recognize the volunteer efforts of three cities. $10,000 charitable donations are made in each city by Newman’s Own.
  • A $10,000 Encore Award will be funded by the Gannett Foundation and USA WEEKEND. This award goes to a former National Honoree who shows continued excellence in volunteerism.
To be eligible for awards, projects must be registered in the DAYtaBANK prior to Make A Difference Day and then updated with details of the day by the deadline.

Deadline for awards consideration is December 1, 2011.