Moments in Pioneers' History: Blazing a Trail to the Olympic Games

Re-creating the spirit and challenge of their namesake forebears, members of the Pioneers blazed a trail westward across the country to help carry the Olympic flame from New York City to Los Angeles for the 1984 Summer Games.

Nearly 5,000 Pioneers worked with AT&T and the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee to physically survey and map every inch of the 8,700-mile route that took the flame through 33 states and the District of Columbia.  Pioneers also obtained all necessary permits and clearances along the way, serving as a liaison with local and state authorities and law enforcement officials, and identified service and emergency facilities for the Olympic Torch Relay support caravan.

During the relay itself, which began on May 8 and took 82 days, 250 lucky Pioneers got to carry the torch on behalf of AT&T. Other Pioneers served as drivers for the 34-vehicle caravan, living onboard for the weeklong stints. Still others were responsible for marking off Youth Legacy Kilometers along the route, briefing and escorting the designated torchbearers, assisting handicapped runners, storing and distributing the propane-fueled Olympic

torches the runners carried, and helping to stage torch-arrival celebrations in communities along the route.

Looking Beyond the Centennial... 2012 Calendar Mails

Pioneers members who support the organization with charitable gifts will be mailed the annual Pioneers wall calendar this week.

This limited edition calendar — Forging Friendships and Sharing the Joy of Service — is filled with distinctive images that illustrate the fun and fellowship we experience as Pioneers — creating and nurturing friendships that can last a lifetime. As we reflect on all the projects and events that will bring us together in solidarity time and again, we celebrate the connectivity that is the heart of Pioneering.

If you've haven't supported a Pioneers with a charitable gift in the past, watch the Pioneers' website for an opportunity to do so and receive a 2012 calendar.  Remember, gifts made by U.S. Pioneers are fully tax-deductible and all Pioneers' charitable gifts go to work right away to support your local Pioneers' life-changing projects right in your area.

We hope recipients will display it with pride as a year-round reminder of how much we appreciate your support and everything you do to promote Pioneering!

Winners Announced in Quote for Funding Program

There are many ways to participate in Pioneers' Centennial for both Pioneers units and members.  The April 1, 2011 Pioneers Centennial Blog shared news about an opportunity presented by member benefit partner and proud Pioneers Centennial sponsor Liberty Mutual.  The "Quote for Funding Challenge" would award six $2,500 grants to the units across the country who had the most members request insurance quotes between April 1-May 31.  The response was great and the competition fierce as Pioneers across the United States participated in the challenge to help secure additional funding to be used during the Centennial year.

And now the winners of the Quote for Funding Challenge have been announced!  To learn which Pioneers' units will be awarded grants, read the current front page story on the Pioneers Headquarters website at http://www.pioneersvolunteer.org/