• New Vision AGB Pioneers Facebook wall

NORVA Donations to Local Food Pantry during COVID-19

In mid-April, NORVA Council members Nancy Rebar and Susan Shaw talked about how the council could help the community in this COVID-19 time while adhering to “stay-at -home” orders and keeping safe. They decided that with so many out of work, food pantries would quickly be stressed trying to meet the added needs. They agreed to help food pantries who could accept “drive through” drop offs and only shop for items to donate when there was a “need” for their own supplies. This would help avoid extra trips out. Also, enlisting family members to pick up items during their own supply trips. The plan was to spread out and make at least 3 deliveries, starting in April. This helps keep a continuous flow of food and hygiene items to the pantries and avoids “adding” to shortages in the grocery stores by purchasing too many needed items at once.

• First delivery drop-off was made on 4/23/20 to ECHO (Ecumenical Community Helping Others) Food Pantry in Springfield, Va.
• Second delivery drop-off was made on 5/12/20 to ECHO.

We are currently in the process of gathering items for the next delivery and plan to continue supporting our community through this pandemic as best we can.

Backpack Delivery, Part 1!

Last September AGB delivered backpacks to Avalon elementary school, located in Temple Hills, MD. We presented the packs to the Assistant Principle and her aide. They were very appreciative and grateful!

Supporting Operation Renewed Hope Foundation 2019

Operation Renewed Hope Foundation is a 501c non-profit organization that was founded in December 2011. Their mission is to end Veteran homelessness in our Nation’s Capital and surrounding Metro area by working with the Dept of Veteran’s Administration and partnering with community organizations. They assist our homeless veterans (families) back into their community as quickly as possible. The receiving family last year was an Army Veteran, her husband, and their 8 children — 6 of whom are under the age of 10. This was AGB’s second year in supporting ORHF’s and in keeping with their mantra, “Pioneers Helping Hands”, AGB Chapter 15 along with multiple organizations and sponsors were excited to participate in filling a house with furniture and household products, essentially transforming it into a home.

AGB filled 5 laundry baskets of more than 40 different items including cleaning supplies, kitchen supplies, laundry supplies, office supplies, bathroom, and hygiene supplies, etc.

We also purchased bedding for each family member, a vacuum cleaner, trash cans, doormat, and an outdoor patio set. Our donations were accompanied by a “Thank You” card signed by chapter members and warm, heartfelt words of encouragement by Chapter President, Bill Keene.

On June 14 2019, AGB attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the furnished home and met many of the supporting organizations as well as tour the house ahead of the family’s occupancy. Thanks to the 2019 TPCF Grant, AGB was able to serve the veteran community, providing over 200 items to aid in rebuilding the lives of a deserving family. AGB Chapter 15 salutes all of our Veterans and their families for their sacrifices.

Extra! Extra! Read All About Us!

Here’s the February 2018 edition of the Alexander Graham Bell Chapter #15 Newsletter — see what we’ve been up to!

Easter Egg Hunt 2018

Join us Saturday, March 24th, for the 38th Annual Easter Egg Hunt for the Visually Impaired. The event runs from 10:30am to 1pm at the Centreville Moose Lodge. This is a special Easter Egg Hunt for children that are visually impaired. Volunteers from the New Vision Pioneers made the beeping eggs that the children can find by sound. Each egg is coded with a monetary amount that is given to the child. They will have several chances to locate the eggs and collect more money. If you have a child ages 2-18 or know of a child that is visually impaired bring he or she to this special event made just for them. Siblings are also welcome.  Registration Form.

On April 8, 2017 Pioneers provided a Beeping Easter Egg Party for the youth at the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Please click here to view all the pictures…..

Please click here to view the Thank You email that was received from Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind.

Dodd Grant Funds Used to Help Students in DC

The Alexander Graham Bell Chapter #15 used the Dodd funds to assist students at the CW Harris Elementary School located in Southeast Washington, DC. The uniforms purchased was especially helpful for three new arrivals (students). With the inclusion of belts and socks, they are now equipped from head to toe to start their new positive experience at CW Harris Elementary School.

The staff was delighted that AGB#15 was able to help the school again this year.

Alexander Graham Bell Room in Richmond Museum

This is the room created in the Richmond Pioneer museum with many items from the archives of our Alexander Graham Bell chapter. We are so glad that we retained these items over the years, and they are now displayed in this museum for all to see. We’re looking forward to taking a field trip to Richmond to see the museum someday soon.

If you are a recent Verizon retiree and need your Life Member package, Click here PDF file Life Member Package or word doc Life Member Package.