Did you know that Pioneers creates partnerships with organizations who share common service values? Through these partnerships, Pioneers volunteer their time and energy in support of initiatives like:
Talking Books Repair Program
Since 1960, when Pioneers entered into a partnership with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and 10 years later with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Pioneers across the United States and Canada have played a significant community service role in making a difference in the lives of blind and visually impaired children and adults. Over the last 50 years, 3.6 million machines have been repaired by Pioneers; an effort representing $216 million in high-quality machine repairs. Through this effort, Pioneers have not only applied skills learned in the telecommunications industry but they have also invented specialized procedures for the diagnosis and repair of each new machine introduced into the program. Learn more about this Pioneers partnership.
Beep Baseball
In 1964, the first softball with an audio tone was designed by Mountain Bell employee Charlie Fairbanks. Over the years, the design was improved, the Beep Ball game was born and in 1972 Pioneers began to manufacture the audio balls.
In March of 1976, the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) was formed and the first World Series of Beep Baseball was planned. Today, the NBBA manages the annual Beep Baseball World Series, which brings together blind athletes from all across the world to compete in the game. Pioneers volunteer their time and talents to the local tournaments and the World Series and adopt beep balls. The Qwest Pioneers manufacture and sell the beep balls and the ball chargers. This year, the World Series will be held in Rochester, MN, August 4th – 8th. For additional information on the NBBA, contact the NBBA Secretary, Stephen Guerra.
Pioneers is proud of how our members effect tangible change through these and all Pioneers partnerships!