Welcome To Thomas Sherwin Pioneers Hall Of Fame

Cynthia Carnali began volunteering with the Pioneers in 1990. She joined the Old Colony Council under the Pilgrim Chapter. After the merger, Old Colony Council became Pilgrim Council under the Thomas Sherwin Chapter. It was there that she became Pilgrim Council Secretary. Within a couple of years Cindy became Vice-President for two years, then President for two more years.

From 1990 to 2006 Cindy devoted much of her time to Pilgrim Council. In addition, she was involved in community service and education programs such as the "I Like Me" program, the Dictionary Project, and the Rug Map project. She took delight in the excitement these gifts brought to the children. Cindy participated in many clean-up projects as local YMCA's and beautified the grounds by planting flowers for everyone to enjoy. She encouraged new members by engaging in membership drives at various company locations. Cindy worked tirelessly to raise funds for her council and chapter. She donated countless hours of her time working in council stores, organizing yard sales, working with the auction committee, enjoying the Cape Cod Canal walks, as well as helping out with the calendar committee. She later became chairperson of the Thomas Sherwin Chapter Scholarship Committee.

Cindy was awarded the VA Hospital Award for 1000 hours of volunteer service as well as the very prestigious Thomas Sherwin Chapter " Pioneer of the Year " award in 2001.

Perhaps her proudest accomplishment was organizing and implementing the Conway House Shelter Christmas party for many years, seeing to it that every disadvantaged child received a toy and some clothing for Christmas. This was no small undertaking, involving her family in sorting all of the gifts and wrapping each one to ensure each child received an equal amount of presents. Her living room was a flurry of bows, gifts and wrapping paper as she and her family worked diligently to make sure the task was completed on time. Besides being quite a philanthropist, Cindy was a devoted mother and dedicated wife.

For sixteen years Cynthia Carnali devoted countless hours volunteering her time, a cause she was passionate about and one she firmly believed in.

Cindy rose to each challenge and found such satisfaction in making a difference in other people's lives and bringing them such happiness. That is why Cynthia Carnali has been chosen this year as the Thomas Sherwin Chapter Hall of Fame recipient. She is a shining example to all of us as a hard working, loving volunteer and we can all learn from her dedication and view her volunteer work as a model for our own philanthropic goals.

Robert W. Sylvia has been a Pioneer Member since 1976. He has served as President/Vice President – Cape Cod Council, and Served as President (1982 – 1983) & Vice President (1981 – 1982) in the Pilgrim Chapter. He has been a Life Member Representative – 2 terms, a Cape Cod Life Member Club President – 3 two-year terms. Built playground area for handicapped children at the Mayflower Nursing Home and also painted USA Maps in Wareham, and Falmouth, MA. Also to his credit, he worked on the Life Line Program, (for 19 years, and still active), which install Life Line Units for the Falmouth Hospital.

He has shopped, packaged and mailed Care Packages for Armed Forces serving in Iraq/Afghanistan. He worked with the Membership Committee to set up membership drives. He set up “Safety Meetings” with employees to stress the importance of Pioneering work, to encourage new membership. He has over 2000 hours credited to the Pioneers and participated in many major fundraising projects for the Pilgrim Chapter

PIONEER LEADERSHIP:

Community Service chair – Patriot Chapter #86 – 1987-1991

President – Thomas Sherwin Chapter #14 – 1994-1996

Tom has been the volunteer coordinator for this program since 1995. This project focused on computers to schools, the veterans, disabled, and other non-profit groups, and libraries. This dedicated group was persistent in light of the economy, providing computers, especially to the schools. Since the economy has changed, the requests have escalated due to budget cuts. The group provides P3 Processors or higher, monitor, mouse, and keyboards, tested and cleaned, to these organizations. Any processor P2 and lower, we dismantle and recycle them for parts or to a recycling company to help support the program. These volunteers would meet two to three times a week based up supply and demand.

Caroline Cook has held many leadership roles on the chapter, council and club levels as member-at-large, treasurer, and office assistant. She has also served on the calendar and luncheon committees. She is currently working as the chapter office assistant. Caroline has served as the North Shore Map coordinator and volunteered her time on the computer recycling program. She has also delivered dictionaries to various schools.

She has chaired The New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans since 2001 and The Special Needs Event since 2002.

Caroline has been involved with the Adopt A Child Christmas Project since 1998. She makes her home available to store, wrap and distribute presents for the annual Adopt a Child Christmas Project. Caroline always shops around for the best items needed for chapter, council and club projects.

Dorothea has been a pioneer for 30 years and held the position of Old Sherwin auditor, member at large, chapter education chairperson, Executive board member, Vice Pres. and Pres. Of the Neponset Life Member Club, Life membership, Scholarship Committee, Finance Committee, calendar committee, started the Pioneer store, and the Editor of the Thomas Sherwin Centennial.

Dorothea volunteers at the Boston Food Bank, Quincy Crisis Center, Veterans Hospital, Mattapan Adult Day Care Center, Long Island Shelter, and the Father Bill’s Place. She bakes, clowns around, distributes lap robes and heart pillows and Hug A Bears. Dorothea has received the pioneer of the month award for her work at the Boston Food Bank.