Ronald McDonald House 2018
Members of the AT&T Pioneers Illinois Chapter set aside time on August 31, 2018 to feed parents and siblings of children who are hospitalized at Advocate Hospital in Oak Lawn. We went to the Ronald McDonald House and prepared dinner for approximately 35 people who were currently staying at the house. When we prepare food for the visitors, we also prepare enough for the staff to enjoy as well. Our menu for this evening was a Garden Salad, Chicken Salad, Spaghetti with meatballs, homemade garlic bread, mixed vegetables, tea and lemonade, and for dessert an assortment of fresh baked cookies.
Parents and siblings can have a stressful day over at the hospital while attending to their loved ones and waiting to speak to doctors. The Ronald McDonald house strive to make these people feel like they are in a home away from home. Looking for volunteers to provide, breakfast, lunch, or dinner is just some of the ways they strive to do this. We were pleased to provide them with a home cooked meal.
If you ever get an opportunity to volunteer for this project, I would suggest you do so. It is so fulfilling to know that you were able to provided someone or family with an environment as much like home as possible.
All Children Shall Have Shoes – Homewood, IL – 12/2018
One of several AT&T Illinois Pioneer “All Children Shall Have Shoes” projects in Homewood, IL today.
Pioneers Life Members meet with Park Lawn
The AT&T Life Member Pioneers recently met with Park Lawn Executive Director, Steve Manning and Mark Dynia, Marketing Manager. Pictured from left to right are Life Member Council Board Members Gary Miles, Gerry Steffgen, Jackie Steffgen and South Area Life Member Club members Nancy McConnell and Mary Lou Barrett. Steve and Mark explained the many projects and opportunities within Park Lawn and we were given a tour of their facilities, the vocational workshop and one of their seven Community Integrated Living (CIL) homes. The Pioneers immediately saw where we could play a vital role in supporting Park Lawn’s efforts and we are moving forward.
Park Lawn Charity was founded in 1955 by a small group of parents who challenged national and state legislature that only provided funding for the education of children deemed “educable.” Recognizing untapped potential in their children, these parents were determined to provide opportunities to help them lead active and productive lives. Parents began teaching their children in classroom space donated by a church in Evergreen Park. Other families seeking similar services joined them.
In 1968, State funding became available to hire professional staff and construct the first permanent school facility in Oak Lawn. Named after the communities of its origin, Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn, Park Lawn soon became a leading resource of hope and opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities. In 1972, an addition was constructed to provide adult services. Further expansion came to meet changing needs and increased capabilities of program participants. The addition of the vocational workshop and residential facilities soon followed. Today, over 500 individuals enrolled in Park Lawn’s programs have the opportunity to pursue a life of productivity, independence and happiness, the same as any other individual.
Park Lawn believes that people with disabilities earnestly wish to live a normal life. They want to go to school, hold a job, have a place where they can live comfortably and they want a full and active social life. Within this context Park Lawn provides adult developmental training, vocational services, supported employment, residential opportunities and recreational activities. All are backed with professional staff support.
Park Lawn Mission is to provide services that promote independence, choice and access to community living for people with disabilities. The AT&T Life Member Pioneers have formed a partnership with Park Lawn Charity and we already have projects in the planning stages. We will be donating and assembling rocking chairs that will be placed in their CIL Homes and workshop. We also plan to purchase and donate BBQ’s and picnic tables which will need to be assembled. Once the BBQ’s and picnic tables are in place, we will be hosting picnics as well. A lot is planned and there is still so much that we can do. We are putting out a call to all our fellow Pioneers and friends to join us in “answering the call.” Please contact us if you are interested in lending a hand and learning more!
Trunk or Treat 2018
TRUNK OR TREAT events provide a safe family-friendly environment where children in our local communities can get dressed up and get into the Halloween Spirit. In addition to the many decorated trunks that are filled with goodies there are also games, activities, costume contests, music and concessions. The price of admission for attendees is typically one non-perishable food item to be donated to the local Food Pantry.
This was the first year Pioneers participated in Trunk or Treat events and the Life Members had a “Pioneer Trunk” at three different locations. One was GiGi’s Playhouse in Tinley Park, a facility for children with Down Syndrome. In the past, Life Member Pioneers have provided GiGi’s with rocking chairs through our PIONEERS ROCK project and donations from their Wish List. We were so happy that we could be there for these wonderful children at this fun event.
The three locations attracted well over 2,000 children and their parents. Many commented on how nice it was to see AT&T represented, they wanted to know more about our Pioneer organization and they personally thanked us for being there! Village Police and Fire Departments were in attendance at all events and Mokena Mayor and fellow Pioneer, Frank Fleischer personally welcomed the Life Members at the Mokena event. Our “Pioneer Trunk” was filled with a huge variety of candy and AT&T Pioneer Pencils. Unlike other Trunks where candy was handed out one piece at a time, the children and adults were overjoyed when we encouraged them to help themselves to whatever they liked while at the same time, assuring that our Trunk was always fully stocked. The AT&T Life Member Pioneers made a great and lasting impression on all attendees and many commented that our “Pioneer Trunk” was the BEST. The leftover candy was delivered to the Manteno VA Home and as always, the Veterans were so happy to see the Pioneers! The Trunk or Treat events were a win/win situation for the children, adults, those who hosted the events, local food pantries, AT&T Life Member Pioneers and Veterans and we look forward to participating in more events next year. WAY TO GO LIFE MEMBER PIONEERS!
HAPPY 107TH BIRTHDAY PIONEERS!
The Pioneers legacy is a long and inspiring one! Established in 1911 with just 734 members; Alexander Graham Bell held the #1 Membership Card. This is a picture of the first Convention that was held in Boston, Massachusetts on November 2nd and 3rd. In the beginning, friendship and fellowship were what it was all about. Industry people recalling the facts, traditions and memories of the early history of the telephone. But those who wrote the original Pioneers purpose were forward thinking in adding that it would encourage “such other meritorious objects consistent with the foregoing as may be desirable.” That became what would make the Pioneers different from other industry groups.
One of the “meritorious objects” translated into community service. Chapters, Councils and Clubs began their own initiatives, mostly working with children’s groups. By 1958, community service was established as the Pioneers’ New Tradition. Today, the organization is the World’s largest group of industry-specific employees and retirees dedicated to community service.
Pioneer Hug-a-Bear 2018
The first Hug-A-Bear rolled off the South Area Life Member Club assembly line in the mid-80’s! While the number of volunteers has greatly dwindled over the years, workshops continue to be held in the Pioneer Work Center in the Oak Lawn C.O. twice a month. When this project was introduced in Illinois, the first step was for the Bears to pass inspection by the Chicago Fire Department. They wanted to assure that the Bears were being made with 100% cotton fabric and that the eyes and noses were properly secured so children could not get them off. The various patterns of fabric and the variety of bows makes each Bear so unique and cute! Over the years, numerous Bears have been provided to local Police/Fire Departments, local hospitals and Nursing Homes. The Bears bring great comfort to children in stressful situations and the Seniors love to cuddle with them too!
Care for Friends 2018
On September 13th and 27th, 2018 two groups of Pioneers and employees worked at a kitchen called “Care for Friends” in Chicago, Illinois which serves lunch to homeless people three days a week.
The mission of this group is to care for people with kindness and dignity. They work to get the homeless some medical help and possibly into living situations and off the street. The dining room is opened 1 1/2 hours prior to the meal being served in order for the guests to socialize with each other while having coffee and snacks. The meal served to the guests is all prepared by the volunteers of the day. There is a lot of cutting, dicing, chopping, and cooking that occurs in addition to having someone bake the dessert. The food is delicious and carefully prepared. The meal is brought to the table of each person and they are ‘served’ as they would be in a restaurant. A second helping is normally available and many take that for their next meal. All Pioneers who worked commented that that it was an excellent experience. One person said “That was the best volunteer service I have ever done. We did everything!”
The experience was truly “Answering the Call of Those in Need”
Sparking Recognition for Veterans 2018
SPARKING RECOGNITION FOR VETERANS is a Life Member Council project that was initiated in 2011. We felt that our Veterans were there when we needed them and now it was our turn to be there for them! Cards were personally designed by the Pioneers to thank the Veterans for all that they have done and for seven consecutive years volunteers have been folding 8″x 12″ U.S. Flags per military regulations to present to Veterans throughout the State. The flags and Thank You cards are placed inside a small zip lock bag and we also provide each Veteran with a U.S. Flag pin. In an effort to reach even more Veterans, those who participated in Honor Flight Chicago were presented with flags and pins during the Mail Call event on their way to Washington D.C. this year. Additionally, volunteers have also been personally knitting and crocheting lap robes for Veterans. Each lap robe is branded with a label, “Handmade by the Life Member Pioneers.” The U.S. Flags, pins and lap robes have been distributed to Veterans in VA Hospitals/Homes, at local Veteran’s events, at VFW’s, to members of local Veteran’s Motorcycle Clubs, to our Veteran Pioneers, family members and friends To date, over 3,000 U.S. Flags and 1,828 lap robes have been provided to Senior War Veterans! WAY TO GO ILLINOIS LIFE MEMBER PIONEERS!
Camp Manitoqua Furniture 2018, part 2
The AT&T Pioneer Volunteers were back at Camp Manitoqua in Frankfort to seal coat the cedar furniture that was assembled on 8/30. We were a little overwhelmed when we looked at all the furniture that had to be painted but once again, great teamwork was displayed by all the task was completed. Camp Manitoqua made a post on their Facebook page praising the AT&T Pioneers. It reads, “Earlier this summer we participated in a volunteer fair through the FRANKFORT PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT hoping to recruit some people to partner with us in various ways. Never did we think that we would get such a blessing from AT&T Illinois Pioneers. We received quite the donation from these folks and it was a blessing to have them on our grounds putting together these beautiful chairs. The write-up they did about their work was beautiful and we would strongly encourage you to read it. We are deeply thankful for the relationship that was built with these folks!
Camp Manitoqua Furniture 2018, part 1
Camp Manitoqua in Frankfort was in need of some outdoor furniture and a group of Life Member Pioneer Volunteers gathered on 8/30 to “answer the call.” Six cedar conversation sets and four chairs were assembled and donated to the Camp along with some outdoor sports equipment i.e. soccer balls, basketballs, footballs, etc. from their Wish List. Each piece of cedar furniture was branded with a plate, “DONATED BY AT&T PIONEER VOLUNTEERS.”
In addition to the 2,600 day and overnight campers, over 13,000 retreat and outdoor education guests attend yearly programs at the Camp. Programs are held for children with Cancer and for those who have lost family members to homicide or substance abuse. Students from Chicago Public Schools attend day programs where they are provided with an outdoor education experience that stretches their thinking and builds their teamwork and problem solving skills. Eleven schools districts hold their own programs at the Camp to teach students anti-bullying, anti-drugs and to provide a safe place for them to process through the difficulties of high school. Special education students volunteer at the Camp to help gain work experience and there are programs for Veterans who suffer from post-war trauma to help them transition back to civilian life. The camp is also used by inner-city students for their own summer day camp programs where they are provided with experiences that help them grow stronger individually and as a group.
The Camp Directors and Staff were thrilled with the cedar furniture and sports equipment. Many commented on how the Volunteers paired up, started opening the boxes and went right to work. Camp Manitoqua touches the lives of many and the AT&T Pioneer Volunteers were happy that we had the opportunity to support their efforts. The Cedar furniture will bring some comfort to the campers and guests for many years to come and the sports equipment will be put to good use. WAY TO GO PIONEERS!
