Through the iPods for Wounded Veteran’s “Dear Soldier” program, students write letters to the Wounded Soldiers in the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the Fort Belvior Community Hospital in Virginia thanking them for their service.
“There’s just something about a soldier opening up a thank you letter from a child that really strikes a chord. It is an amazing experience to witness a soldier opening up one of these letters.”
— Wayne, Fox, Co-Chairman,
iPods for Wounded Veterans
Paul Cardello founded of iPods for Wounded Veterans in August of 2010, along with the Dear Solider program.
Paul is a US Air Force Veteran who served as Sargent from 1966-1970, having spent two years at David Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. He spent 1968-1970 at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam in the Southern Pacific, and Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire from 1970 until his Honorable Discharge.
Paul has been a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for 35 years and is currently a member of Teamster Local 170 of Worcester, Massachusetts.
iPods for Wounded Veterans is made up entirely of volunteers – there are NO paid employees. 88% of all funds raised go directly back to the wounded Veterans, with the only expenditures being those necessary to travel to and from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and other Military and Veterans hospitals.
The Dear Soldier Campaign is a wonderful way of giving back to some who have and some who continue to serve the United States of America in all branches of the armed forces.
Want to get involved? You can have your son, daughter, niece, nephew, etc. write a letter to our soldiers. You can get your family members, your neighbors, your friends, your church, your schools and different organizations you are involved with to participate in this project. Below you will find a blank letter with the Dear Soldier letterhead that can be printed out and used. Make a difference, take the time to place a smile on the face of a Wounded Veteran when they receive a letter from a person that says – “Thank you for your service.”
If you are interested in getting involved or for more information on the Dear Soldiers campaign, contact David Renshaw through his webpage or at (305) 642-6255 ext 2236.
http://www.ipodsforwoundedveterans.org/dear-soldier-campaign.html