On Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29, 2017, iPods for Wounded Veterans along with Teamsters Local 769 Business Agent David Renshaw had the pleasure of visiting with our Veterans at the Walter Reed Military Medical Center, the Fort Belvoir Hospital and the Richmond V.A.
iPods for Wounded Veterans secures sponsorship to collect iPods, iPads, eReaders, Nooks, Bose headphones and other materials for our wounded veterans. Their class A security clearance allows them to personally hand deliver these gifts to the military and wounded veterans as well as to interact with the soldiers and their families one-on-one.
Through iPods for Wounded Veterans, there is also a program called ‘Dear Soldier’ in which kindergarten through 12th graders from different schools write letters to the wounded soldiers. These letters consist of children thanking soldiers for their service and included thank you “rulers” that the students made. In regards to the Dear Solider program, brother Renshaw was asked to be involved in delivering these letters. “It was an honor to accept this invitation to personally deliver the letters that we collected from Broward, Dade and the City of Key West.”, said David. “We collected and delivered over 1,600 thank you letters, recycled crayon hearts and thank you banners.”
Between Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29, 2017 they delivered over 4,000 thank you letters from all ages of children across the United States, 1,800 assorted magazines and over 400 electronic items. During these two days, they had the pleasure of spending quality time with the soldiers and their families. The average age of the soldiers range from 21-25 with many different types of injuries, including multiple amputations and PTSD. “As we were there thanking them for their service and sacrifice, they took pause and thanked US for taking the time to remember them and their families.”, continued David. “The expression on a soldier’s face when they receive and read the letters from the children is something that I will never forget.” The letters are received with the utmost gratitude and these letters give the soldiers such joy from children they don’t even know. They truly appreciate the efforts of the children and the kindness in each of their hearts.
Unfortunately, as the battle continues overseas, there will be a continuous need for an organization of this nature, now and into the future. This will be an ongoing project for all of us. We must continue to support our veterans as well as assist others in spreading the word to help keep this fantastic program going so that we can give back to our veterans. They have so selflessly given so much of themselves for us. They are the very reason we enjoy the freedoms we have today.
Join us in thanking iPods for Wounded Veterans and brother David Renshaw and stay tuned as Teamsters Local 769 will have another Dear Soldier campaign in November and December 2017. If you would like additional information on this or other Human Rights Commission Events, contact Business Agent David Renshaw at drenshaw@teamsterslocal769.org.
To donate to iPods for Wounded Veterans click here www.ipodsforvets.org.
On this Memorial Day Weekend, remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation and the freedoms we hold dear.
Have a safe Memorial Day Weekend and we would like to wish all our Veterans a Happy Memorial Day on behalf of Teamsters Local 769 .
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