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Welcome to Washington Chapter 30
We invite you to join in any of our projects. Here is a listing of some of our current activities. If you would like to volunteer for a specific project or have more detailed questions please email us and and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
Pioneers Foundation Grant Winners Announced
Congratulations to Us
Over $115,000 awarded for technology and educational projects including two projects for our chapter.
Washington Chapter 30, Chapter project
Readers for Life
Mark Luster
Award: $2,500
"Readers For Life" is the chapter’s project to help public school teachers and reading specialists get supplemental books for students who are struggling with their reading skills. In most cases, these are for K-3 students in Title 1 programs, or in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. Even though there is an increasing number of Title 1 and ESL students in the schools, the funds to purchase materials are limited.
Pioneers work with teachers to get individual class information, such as reading levels, number of students in jeopardy, favorite authors, etc. Based on the needs of each class, the Pioneers place an order with the publisher for books that are enjoyable and encourage reading.
The object is to provide a book to each child that is fun to read and builds vocabulary. The reading specialists who work individually with the students help to build a "Reading for Life" attitude.
Washington Chapter 30, Yakima Council
"Look it Up" Project
Sandy Cramer and Anita Larin
Award: $2,500
The goal is to present dictionaries to every 3rd-grade student in those schools with limited resources. We plan on making this a 5-year project. Since required testing for graduation begins in the 3rd grade, we feel this is a worthwhile project. The monies will be allocated to the student book room and a program called "Hand Writing without Tears." This is a kindergarten through 3rd-grade project.
Operation Shore Patrol
Telephone Pioneers join with thousands of other volunteers to clean the beaches and shores of Washington waterways. Washington Chapter 30 gathers at Ocean City State Park near Ocean Shores, Washington.
The third full weekend in September each year is the time. . This project will be held on September 15, 16, 17, 2005 and everyone is welcome.
Plan to join us, bring your family, friends and neighbors.
We gather on Friday night, sign in on Saturday morning, clean the beach and then enjoy each others company and the out of doors. After the cleanup we have family activities including kite flying, sand castle building and a great potluck.
This event has been held for many years and all volunteers are welcome.
If you wish to volunteer for this event please send a message to pioneer@scn.org and you will be added to the mailing list.
Volunteer
We do have great fun and leave a nice clean beach.
Easy Access
Washington Telephone Pioneers work with various national and state parks, and national forests, especially in the area of building and maintaining accessible trails. A recent project at Mt. Rainier National Park was to prepare a site for revegitation. Within the Randle Forest Service District, we have worked on campground restoration, trails and general cleanup.
A trail improvement project in the Randle Forest District is being planned for June, 2005. Please send us the form or email to Lois for more information.
Smart Bear
When children are victims of automobile accidents or face other crisis situations, it can be a very scary time. That's why Pioneer Volunteers have sewn thousands of stuffed animals and donated them to law enforcement officials, fire departments and hospital personal, who keep them in their cars and offices ready to give to comfort young victims. These Bears have also been sent to areas hit by natural and man made disasters throughout the world. We have regulary scheduled work parties at locations around the state and you are welcome to join us as we sew and stuff.
Education
Pioneers across the United States have been active in wiring schools and providing time and equipment so that our youth can learn to access and use the internet. Net Day explains more about this program and how you can get involved.
Playground Maps
Currently Washington Telephone Pioneers are painting maps of the United States on local school playgrounds. These maps are used for educational and fun games. The maps and instructions for some games are provided to the school at no charge. Do you know of a school in your community that would be interested?
Kids Who Read Succeed
Pioneer Volunteers recognize that reading aloud helps improve the skills of older readers, and that reading to young children is a critical factor in getting them ready to read and to become good readers and successful students. As a result the Pioneers have funded a program to purchase books. The books are housed in school libraries and are available for students to check out for use at home. We also participate in the Readers for Life progam and I Like Me, both of which provide books for the children of their own. We also have volunteers who read aloud or just listen to young readers.
Habitat for Humanity
Recently the TelecomPioneers renewed their agreement with Habitat for Humanity in order to work on joint projects. Remember that these are now automatically authorized projects and turn in your hours to your participation chair.
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