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Teamsters Lend a Hand to Help Wounded Vets in Ariz.
A vacation to Arizona turned into an event honoring U.S. veterans at a facility in Tucson on Saturday where attendees received headphones and other gifts as a thank you for their service to this country.
Paul Cardello, chairman and CEO for iPods for Wounded Veterans, was out in Arizona visiting family when he realized the Veterans Administration (VA) had a hospital nearby. Enlisting the help of Local 104 and the VA as well as assistance of sponsors Bose, Best Buy, Big Lots and Hudson RPM, he organized an event for upwards of 150 vets that featured speakers, giveaways, food, drink and music.
A retired member of Local 170 in Worchester, Mass., Cardello and his organization have repeatedly joined with Teamsters on the local and national level in order to give back to this nation’s wounded heroes. Officials from the Teamsters Military Assistance Program were on hand to advise former military members about career opportunities with the union.
“This was a massive event,” Cardello said. “Everyone was involved in it.”
Vets received earbuds from Bose and magazines from Hudson. Best Buy and Big Lots provided iPods for Wounded Veterans with discounted merchandise that was raffled off at the event. The VA supplied refreshments and staffing support. Local 104 also provided volunteers for the event.
The organization holds similar event around the country. The next one is scheduled for April 13 in Manchester, N.H., and Local 633 is assisting. More information about iPods for Wounded Veterans can be found here.