Since 1993, Verizon Reads - Book’em has read to and distributed books to 276,200 children. Thanks to our many volunteers, the children of Maryland keep receiving the gift of literacy.
                   

Research shows that Book'em is right on target to meet the literacy needs of children today. Reading aloud to children is an indispensable activity for building an understanding of print and oral language. Immersing a child in a print-rich environment is essential for their future reading success. Book'em provides a variety of reading material which will excite and motivate children to read and reread our books.

Want to share your gift of literacy with your child’s or grandchild’s school, maybe with your neighborhood school or the school nearest your work location? Select a school, call the school reading specialist or teacher, set a reading date with your elementary school (or the school near your work location) and order books by sending e-mail to PioneersRead@msn.com. Send us the school name, address, county, grade, number of students, teacher’s name, your reading date, your name, and company mailing address. We will send Pioneers or Pioneer Partners books for every child in kindergarten through grade five, one grade each month. It is that easy. We will give a new, Scholastic book to every child you read to in any elementary school in Maryland. (All counties in Maryland are eligible except Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties. These are covered by the Alexander Graham Bell Telecom Pioneers.)

Not a Pioneer? No problem. We can sign you up in no time and have you reading quality books to your favorite elementary school next month. Email us (or call us on 410 393-6649) and ask how.

Hug-A-Bears are a staple of the Pioneer tradition. They are made by Pioneers and donated to hospitals and fire departments and sent to US troops so the stuffed animals can be given to children in traumatic situations.

Vial of Life - Vials of Life are given to seniors non-profit groups for elderly people living at home. Persons receiving the vials store their personal medical information in the vials and place a sticker on their front door. In case of emergency, paramedics know to look for the vial, which is kept in the refrigerator.

Students Under Construction - At several schools in Maryland, Pioneers maintain school supply stores. Students are awarded pogs by their teachers for attendance and academic successes, and the pogs are redeemed for the supplies.

Environmental Day - Verizon Maryland Pioneers take part in an environmental project every spring, making renovations and improvements at a local or state park. They partner with Boy Scout and Girl Scout and other volunteers on the project, which they choose based on community need. In addition, Pioneers across Maryland conduct recycling and clean-up programs throughout the year.

Chapter Annual Meeting - The Maryland Chapter holds it Annual Meeting in Ocean City in September. Pioneers enjoy a seafood luncheon, an awards dinner, special events and lots of socializing. The 2007 Chapter Annual Meeting was held in September at the Dunes Manor Hotel.

Life Member Events - Pioneer Life Members (retirees of C&P, Bell Atlantic and Verizon) get together for a variety of activities. At the annual Holiday Party, Life Members donate to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Life Members also take trips to shows and resorts, and hold monthly meetings. Life Members are often called the life blood of the Pioneer organization, and visit nursing homes and hospices, prepare Vials of Life and participate in most of the Pioneers' weekday community service projects.

Social Events - The Pioneers are a family-oriented group. Recently, Breakfasts with Santa in Annapolis and Reisterstown were a big hit with youngsters and adults alike. Pioneers also hold bull roasts, crab feasts and shrimp feasts, and offer discounts to many attractions, including Kings Dominion, Hershey Park, Six Flags, and Baltimore Arena events. In addition to offering Pioneers and their families entertainment discounts, the proceeds support Pioneers charitable activities.

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