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Washington Special Highlights
AWARDS:
People Who Care, Environmental Category
Chapter of the Year, U S WEST (now Qwest)
Talking Book Repair; National Library of Congress
A sample of our volunteer projects:
READERS FOR LIFE PROJECT: This project was successfully piloted in one of Washington's councils and has been adopted as a chapter project. The objective is to provide elementary school children in ESL and Chapter 1 reading programs with supplemental reading materials and to encourage volunteer tutors in schools. In researching the need, Pioneers determined that while funding is made available to districts to hire teachers for these programs, there is little funding available for materials. Letters to the teachers in two school districts elicited an immediate response that resulted in Pioneers donating $2,000 worth of books to the schools. This project is set to launch in several other school districts in Washington this fall, resulting in books reaching thousands of children.
CAMPBELL'S LABELS FOR EDUCATION PROJECT: Several clubs and councils partner with local schools to collect, clip and donate labels to the schools so they can purchase classroom materials or equipment.
READ TO ME: This on-going project provides information, material and books to new mothers stressing the life-long value of reading with their children. It is provided through hospitals and via the Washington Department of Social and Health Services program.
SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED: Clubs and councils annually provide scholarships in varying amounts to deserving high-school graduates.
VINTAGE TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT MUSEUM: The historical value of telephony is being utilized to provide education information to groups of students that tour the museum regularly. The educational aspect of the museum is being enhanced to emphasize the Pioneers' focus on education.
FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA: Walla Walla Pioneers coach members of the Future Farmers of America class at Walla Walla High School on their telephone skills associated with their Sales and Service program. By working with a teacher, Pioneers developed a telephone information packet of "Do's and Don'ts." The packet also includes sample dialogues that the students practice in class. Last year, the team won the State Championship and traveled to the Nationals in St. Louis, Missouri.
GORDON HAUCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: In Kirkland, this school has been the adopted school of the Cascadian Life Member Club for many years. Among the students is a large population of children who are physically or mentally handicapped and/or developmentally delayed. Club members make and adapt furniture and other materials to meet the special needs of the students. They make ramps, coloring tables, stools for sinks so they can wash their hands and adapt chairs and desks.
RODEO FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN: Every August in Vancouver Washington, this event is sponsored by the Columbia Combined Club in conjunction with the Clark County Fair. It is a specially-designed recreational activity is for 20 Special Olympic Athletes, ages 6-12 years of age. The kids are teamed up with "Pioneer Cowboys" for five rodeo events. Included in the competition is a Goat Ribbon Relay, Dummy Calf Roping, a Stick Horse Race, a Barrel Race and a Wheel-barrow Race. Every child is a winner, each receiving a trophy. Trophies are also awarded for the All Around Cowboy or Cowgirl and for the Inspirational Cowboy or Cowgirl.
CORPORATE VOLUNTEER COUNCIL: U S WEST (now Qwest) Washington Pioneers have invested in a membership to the Greater Puget Sound Corporate Volunteer Council. The Council is a group of volunteer managers representing businesses, such as Microsoft, Boeing, Starbuck's, Wells Fargo Banks and many other companies who have employee volunteer programs. The purpose of the group is to represent their business in the corporate community service environment and to share information.
CORPORATE ALIGNMENT: A working partnership is developing with U S WEST (now Qwest) Local Markets Events Management Team for company sponsorship of community events in Washington.
VOLUNTEER NETWORK: Washington Pioneers established a central point of contact for volunteers that is managed by a volunteer coordinator. Members have responded to surveys to determine their areas of interest for volunteering and their skills. In addition, each member was asked to pledge hours as a volunteer. A computerized database has been developed and is used to match volunteers to projects and produce reports for the use of chapter leadership and project leaders.
A FAMILY AFFAIR: Pioneers help to host this annual event in Spokane in October, which offers information on local health and welfare agencies. The event hosts approximately 17,000 adults and children.
NATIONAL BEACH CLEAN-UP: This annual event is held on all coastal areas in the United States. Washington Pioneers volunteer to clean areas of the beach at Ocean Shores, in partnership with other local organizations.
NATIONAL PARK CLEAN-UP AND/OR RESTORATION: Working with park rangers, a group of individuals work at least three projects every year to repair storm drainage in national parks.
OTHER EFFORTS INCLUDE: Qwest Pioneers Home Page Development and on-going maintenance • Corporate sponsors of the Annual Nile Shrine Circus in Seattle. (branded Qwest Pioneers) • Wiring the staff for Internet access at Woodland Park Zoo and Museum • Registration of approximately 62,000 participants in preparation of informational packets for the Annual Blooms Day Event (Run and Walk) in Spokane • Collection and packaging of approximately one million sports trading cards that are donated to agencies that work with youths • Seven United Way Day of Caring projects completed in September. • National Points of Light Make A Difference Day participation on October 26, 1996 with nine projects • Projects and social events in support of the elderly and disabled. • Weekend commitment to travelers along interstate highways at rest areas offering free coffee and refreshments and a safety break.
This year's officers:
WA Chapter President
George Blanchard
4826 196 St SE
Bothell, WA 98012
Phone: (425) 486-1550
Fax: (425) 402-9678
E-mail: geobl@gte.net
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