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H. G.  McCully Upstate Chapter #12 

Our Mission The Telecom Pioneers are a network of current and former telecom industry employees and their families who volunteer to address community needs. We represent our companies’ and the industry’s commitment to responsible corporate citizenship. Our Vision We are the recognized world-class leader in volunteerism. We are respected and valued by our members, our corporations, the global community and the telecom industry. We are committed to the diversity and personal growth of our members, the success of our companies and to improving the quality of life in our communities.   Paterson-Passaic-Ridgewood Council/Club Visit Chestnut Hill Assisted Living On Sunday, December 13, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Elves with Chris Lizner, Angela Barat, Patti Stonier, and Bob Stonier visited with the residents of Chestnut Hill Assisted Living Residence.  Entertainment was provided by the Boy Scout Troop of Clifton New Jersey who sang Christmas Carols with the residents.  Santa gave each resident a small gift .   Santa and a resident of Chestnut Hill. The Boy Scouts with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Elves singing Christmas Carols.     Santa, Mrs. Claus, Mary the Elf, Doris the Elf, and Sara the Elf   Paula Wright Inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame   On November 7, 2009 Paula Wright, Morristown  Life Member, was inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame.  The induction took place at the Hall of Fame dinner in Reston, Virginia.  Paula joined the Pioneers in 1981 and has served as Council President, Chapter President, Life Member Representative, and she is currently serving as the Morristown Life Member President.  Paula participated in painting a historical house at Speedwell Village, painting a room at the Jersey City Medical Center, and has volunteered at holiday parties for challenged children.  As a Chapter "Verizon Reads" chairperson, she headed a chapter wide campaign resulting in the accumulation of over 1000 children's books.  She instituted the Valentine's For Vets project in the Morristown Life Member Club.  She has organized Baby Showers for the "Be My Baby Project", animal showers to benefit local animal shelters as well as introducing Lily's Pantry. Throughout her Pioneer career she has established and participated in several membership drives. Paula has served on many of the Chapter's committees including the Golf Tournament, Tricky Trays, and many more.  Paula has received the Council of the Year Award, Life Member of the Year, and a Certificate of Appreciation from Lily's Pantry.  Paula's consistently sweet, gentle, non-confrontational ways have made her a well liked and admired Pioneer.  She is not one who seeks out the limelight or center stage, but she is a shining star of the Pioneers.    Warren Life Members Deliver Dictionaries   On September 17, 2009 the Warren Life Member Club delivered 100 dictionaries to the Phillipsburg (NJ) School District.  Accepting the dictionaries for the Superintendent of Schools, who had to leave due to an emergency in one of the schools, was Mr. Finken, Principal of Phillipsburg's Green Street School.  The dictionaries will be distributed to new students who enter the District during the school year, as well as, various school libraries in the District, some of which will be used for reading programs.  The Superintendent of Schools was very appreciative for the donation, and it was a wonderful opportunity for the Club to foster a relationship with the school district at a high level.  Following the presentation, the women of the Club enjoyed some fellowship time with a shopping trip to Pennsylvania. A rewarding day by all means!      St. Philip's School Gets a New Map Paterson-Passaic-Ridgewood Council President Dorothy Miller and painters Chris Liszner, Angela Barat, and Millie Denny put the finishing touches on the freshly painted map at St. Philip's School in Clifton. President Dorothy Miller paints the east coast. West coast painters Angela Barat and Chris Liszner.   Warren Life Member Club Hug-A-Bear Workshop The Warren Life Member Club held a Hug-A-Bear Workshop on June 15th at the American Legion Hall in Hackettstown, NJ.  Fifteen Members and Partners attended the workshop including 2 Granddaughters of one of the Members, who were home from college.  Members brought home baked goodies and coffee, ribbons, pins, fiberfill, sewn bears,  and everyone sat around the table eating, stuffing Hug-A-Bears and enjoying good old fashion Pioneer fellowship. The hours passed so quickly, no one realized how late it really was, and by the time they closed up, 106 completed Hug-A-Bears sat proudly on the table before them, and they were already planning their next workshop. Most of the Hug-A-Bears will be donated to the Morristown Council, and some to the H. G. McCully Chapter, but some special ones will be kept to put a handmade bookmark with (another of the Clubs projects) and given to children in need in the Warren County, NJ area. Anyone wishing to attend a future Hug-A-Bear or Bookmark Workshop may contact Barbara Hamilton at (973) 726-7676. Pictured from left to right: Alice Bingert, Margie Rush, Lorrie Smith, Rosalie Wargin, Martha Kenny, Joan Carling, Margaret Strunk, Joan Dinger, Rachal Kenny, Meredith Skiba     Warren Life Member Club Partners with NORWESCAP  on Food Backpack Project   The Warren Life Member Club of H. G. McCully Upstate Chapter #12 Verizon Pioneers has partnered with NORWESCAP (Northwest New Jersey Community Action Program, Inc.) of Warren County New Jersey to provide food, to hungry children on weekends and school holidays when other resources are not available, through NORWESCAP's Backpack Program.  During the summer months, the Members of the Warren Life Member Club are collecting various food products, such as peanut butter, jelly, mac & cheese, fruit cups, etc., which will be used for the backpacks beginning in September.  The Backpack Program was created by the NORWESCAP Food Bank when children in the Warren County NJ area were identified as "food in-sure" by their teachers, counselors, nurses or other school staff.  Each Friday during the school year, non-descript backpacks are filled with nutritious food and drinks, and given to the identified children (pre-K through 5th grade).  The children return the backpacks on Monday, to be filled again for the following weekend.  During the 2008 - 2009 NORWESCAP provided 110 children in 11 different schools with backpacks each week.  The Members of the Warren Life Member Club have embraced this project and are eagerly collecting the food requested.  The Club has also purchased 100 coloring books to be used in the backpacks as occasional "surprises".  This is a fun, easy summer project for the Club Members, whose ages average around 70.  The first presentation of food will be made at the Club's September meeting.  The Warren Life Member Club is happy and excited to partner with NORWESCAP on this very worthy project.  Anyone interested in "lending a hand" can contact Barbara Hamilton, President-Warren Life Member Club, at 973-726-7676.  Wish List: Peanut Butter (18oz. of smaller); jelly (NO glass); Mac & Cheese, Spaghettios; 100% Fruit Juice boxes; snack pudding cups; tuna fish (packed in water); instant breakfast drink mix; oatmeal;  cereal bars; chicken noodle soup; canned vegetables.  Financial Donations: $11.00 = 1 child for 1 week; $44.00 = 1 child for 1 month; $440.00 = 1 child for 1 year. Update September 2009 The Warren Life Member Club presented their donation of food, 120 handmade bookmarks, 100 coloring books, 144 Halloween pencils and checks totaling $300.00 to the Director of the NORWESCAP Food Backpack Program, Helene Meissner, at the Club's meeting on September 10th. At the meeting, Helene spoke to the Members on the unfortunate, growing need for this type a program in our community.  Over 120 children Pre-K through 5th grade have been identified as food insecure at the start of the school year, and they expect it to go upwards of 200 before the school year ends in 2010.  Since packaging size is so important in this program (because the food must fit into a backpack), food normally available at the food bank is not always appropriate.  Helene said the Club's food choices, sizes and amount will go a long way to fill the backpacks beginning this Friday.  Since they like to occasionally add a surprise to the backpacks for the children, i.e., pencils, coloring books, and the children often don't have gloves, hats or boots for the winter, the Club has offered to supply gloves and hats, as well as food,  as part of our ongoing support.  When Helene left our meeting, her car was filled to capacity with food; and the Club Members were filled with pride and satisfaction that our little Club could make such a big difference to those in need.       Pictured from left to right: Lori Smith, Joan Dinger, Rosalie Wargin, Martha Kenny, Margie Rush, Alice Bingert, and Margaret Strunk     Bookmark Workshop Verizon Pioneers McCully Upstate Chapter 12 held a Chapter Bookmark workshop on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 175 Park Avenue, in Madison NJ, from 9:30 am till 2:00 pm.  There was a good turnout with 28 members, Life members, and partners in attendance.  All four Councils and four Life member clubs were represented.  We are still awaiting the final tally to determine the total number of bookmarks produced. Members enjoyed fellowship, conversation and laughter as they shared materials and creative ideas.   Continental breakfast was provided for all attendees. Many said they would enjoy attending another workshop later in the year. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all who joined in and donated their time and talent to contribute to the overall success of the project. Special thanks to the "Coffee Club" for providing the breakfast goodies, to the Education Committee for organizing the project, and to Morristown Council for setting up the location.

Some of the projects we completed last year include:   Annual Golf Outing Charity Fundraiser Assisted in writing over 3,000 invitations to an Annual Fundraiser Barnes and Noble Reading Project Carpet Maps Coat Drive Donated Goods to Battered Women’s Shelters, Food Pantries, and Animal Shelters Dictionary distribution Opened Senior Citizens Technology Centers Participated in Season’s Readings and Conducted Book Fairs Program in Conjunction with HSO and CITE on the Newark Riots Provided Sneakers for YMCA Youth Basketball Team Sent Hug-A-Bears to Iraq Sponsored Health Fair Supplied Backpacks to Schools      To learn more about individual projects by Council, please check out our Newsletter for more details.

Volunteers Needed The Pioneers of H. G. McCully Chapter #12 perform many community service projects throughout northern New Jersey.  We are always looking for new and veteran members to help with these projects.  We perform many diverse projects such as, painting playground maps, reading to children at various school,  working with Women Centers and many more.  As you can see there is a job for everyone, so come out and be a VOLUNTEER!  For info on any project please call  Joyce  at:  973-350-5207

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             If you have recently retired, moved, changed your name, or if you know of someone

                                                           who has, please contact us at:

                                                                   Verizon TelecomPioneers

                                                                      900 Clinton Ave Floor 1

                                                                           Irvington, NJ 07111

                                                                                 973-375-9933

                                                                             Fax: 973-372-1682

                                         Please send us a note or feel free to leave us a voice mail.

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