Pioneers Provide Access to the Great Outdoors
Number of Qwest Pioneers in Minnesota:
MINNESOTA'S TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 7,511
ACTIVE EMPLOYEES: 2,990
RETIRED LIFE MEMBERS: 4,521
1998-99 VOLUNTEER HOURS DONATED FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS: 24,196
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For some disabled veterans in Minnesota, the simple act of fishing off a dock at a peaceful lake is more enjoyable thanks to the Qwest's Pioneers. At the Veterans Rest Camp in Forest Lake, MN, Pioneers recently built a new wheelchair accessible floating dock, three cabin decks with wheelchair ramps and two cabin landings with low-rise stairs.
Established in 1926 for World War I veterans, the camp offers 12 fishing cabins for use by all veterans and their families. Yet until the Qwest's Pioneers went to work this spring, none of the cabins or docks were wheelchair accessible.
After hearing about the Qwest's Pioneers' community service efforts from a fellow veteran, Ray Campbell, Solicitations Chairperson for the Veterans Rest Camp Association's Board of Directors, requested a grant from the Saint Paul Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 2. He received $4,000 from the DAV and used it to buy all the materials the Pioneers would need.
"They just started hammering and building like I've never seen," says Campbell. "They are such a fun-loving, dedicated group of people and they did a fantastic job."
Pioneer and Accessible Ramp Projects Leader Denny Dahl says he, and more than 100 other Pioneers who have worked on 81 volunteer accessible ramp projects in the past six years, just enjoy helping people in need. The Pioneer organization has a long history of taking on volunteer projects that enhance the lives of physically challenged individuals. Hence, the Minnesota Pioneers' work is not limited to their work at the Veterans Camp.
The Pioneers have also completed accessible observation decks for the Department of Natural Resources, portable deer hunting platforms for another veterans organization, ramps for physically challenged people of all ages at their homes, as well as floating docks at many of Minnesota's lakesides. "Seeing a person in a wheelchair out fishing on a dock that you built is deeply rewarding," says Dahl.
And the Pioneers have no intention of resting on their laurels. They have another project planned in Ely, MN, for four accessible floating docks at another Veterans Camp.
