Boxes to the troops – a thank you to those at Leland Street, Framingham and Chestnut Street, Worcester who helped make this possible.Hi All, First, let me thank you all for the wonderful donations.Today, December 13, 2013, we packed everything up and we’re sending 16 total cartons ( 12 paper boxes and 4 larger ones) to Christopher Cwalinski and his unit. The total for the shipping was $303.80.
Since the shipping was less than what was collected, I am going to purchase toys for tots with the rest of the money.Thank you all again.Pam Puchala
In December 2013 the Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Main Street in Agawam was the location for the national Wreaths Across America event honoring veterans. The gathering is hosted by the nonprofit Wreaths Across America organization, a national group that spons annual wreath-laying ceremonies at veterans graves. The WJ Denver Chapter of the New Vision Pioneers donated $600 to place wreaths.
Providence Club Annual Back to School project in August 2013.
Click here for the 2013 Denver Chapter 15 week lottery winners.
Click here for the 2013 Providence Life Member club 20 week lottery winners.
The Providence Club planted daffodil bulbs in honor of the victims of the 
Marathon bombings at the Ronald McDonald House in Providence, RI.
pictured on left: Linda Winman -Pvd Club Secretary, and Vernon Baker.
picture on right: Margaret Martin – Pvd Club board member and her sister Dorothy.
Kitz for Kidz at RK Finn Ryan Rd. School
On October 29, 2013, 33 students and 2 teachers expressed their joy and gratitude for the “Kits” that they had time to inspect and appreciate the day before. Some of the students shared what they liked the best in the boxes – some like the book that was in theirs, some liked the colored markers, some liked all the writing supplies. The teachers were very surprised to also receive teacher kits. They were delighted. One teacher shared that it was a worthwhile activity as there were many students in need of supplies. Both teachers agreed that the children should take the kits home and stressed that they would need some of the supplies for homework that would be assigned that especially would need certain things found in the box. Then the children were encouraged to find a safe place for the kit so that it was available for the home work assignment. Many thanks were expressed in special cards that the students made.
Denver Chapter Pioneers participated for the 4th year at New Hope’s Gourmet Guys fundraiser. The chapter participated as a key sponsor and included the volunteer efforts of Jim Crosbie along with 40 other gentlemen from the community who prepared their specialty to be served to over 300 attendees marking the 23rd year of this event.Jim’s specialty this year was Butter Chicken and it was definitely a wonderful choice based on all the comments around our table. Jim’s wife Jeanne, daughter Jennie, Pioneer Diane and her sister Karen and New Vision Ex. Dir. Deb Foley attended the event. Raffles and other fundraising rounded out the night with Jeanne and Jennie winning a basket each. A great time for good food and wonderful company while supporting the efforts of New Hope to end domestic violence.
On October 19 the WJ Denver chapter Pioneers and friends participated in the Marathon plantings in Ashland, MA. We met at the William Pittaway School in Ashland and were soon on our way to dig and plant bulbs. We planted King Alfred Daffodils in honor of the victims of the Marathon bombings earlier this year. It is to help promote the Boston Strong theme and for a special surprise for the runners to enjoy on their marathon run in 2014. The runners will be greeted by over 10,000 Daffodil bulbs along the Marathon route, a spectacular show provided by many volunteers. Each volunteer was given a map, vest and hundreds of Daffodils! We were given areas in which we would have to dig, as the holes were not pre-cut, thankfully we Pioneers were prepared with shovels, trowels, gloves and rakes to get this task accomplished.We planted in homes along the marathon route which is in a high traffic area and very close to the road. We proceeded with caution and dug out trenches to plant the Daffodils bulbs point side up. Ann Cove, Chris Casino, Alice Schreiner, Andrea Deschene, Kathy Chapalonis, Bruce Broadard, Dawn Stuller and Tedy Cove planted over 1,000 bulbs. In addition Carol Baker, Vernon Baker, Linda Winman, Margaret Martin and Dorothy Martin planted 100 bulbs at the Ronald McDonald house in Providence, RI. Ann Cove, Dawn Stuller and Tedy Cove planted 100 bulbs at 15 Chestnut St in Worcester on Sunday October 20th a job well done! Daffodil thank you from Ashland Town Manager.
“Bears” on the move. Pioneers from the Tri Valley Life Member Club meet monthly with the residents at Providence Place, and independent living retirement community in Holyoke, MA to cut, sew and stuff Hug A Bears. Richard Pelland, Providence Place administrator, goes to Tanzania yearly as a volunteer, taking as many of our Hug A Bears as he could fit in his luggage, bringing smiles to the children there.
In the Spring Pioneers worked with an Attleboro resident to raise money to help offset the expenses incurred for her sick dog, to raise money for a local animal shelter, and a Pioneer animal project. A “Bagels and Bones” brunch was held where over $5400 was raised. Pioneers purchased various items for animal shelters located in Hopkinton, Framingham, Milford and Medfield, MA. Below is a thank you from one of the animal shelters.Hi Diane, I would like to thank you again for the wonderful donations. We are still using the supplies and really appreciate the help. The shelter is always so full of needy cats and kittens that making ends meet is often difficult. Barbara
Click here for an article that appeared in the Woonsocket Call on September 23, 2013. The Woonsocket Life Member club delivered 42 pairs of new sneakers, 82 pairs of socks, knitted hats, sweaters, gloves and Hug A Bears for underprivileged youngsters in the school.Click here for a thank you note from the Coleman School principal.
Countless Hours of Dedication