WILMINGTON — iPods for Wounded Veterans, a Wilmington 501c3 nonprofit organization, is gearing up for the holiday season for what Chairman Paul Cardello says is the year’s biggest event for veterans. The event will be held on December 19th at Billerica Elks Lodge #2071.
Cardello said the event will feature prizes from the warehouse and will be attended by about 300 veterans, Elks members and other volunteers. Donated tablets, laptops, televisions, MP3 players, earphones, wireless his headphones, military baseball caps, and T-shirts will be raffled off to veterans.
He also said rechargeable earbuds are the biggest and most popular electronic item for veterans this year.
In the meantime, iPods for Wounded Veterans’ 30 or so volunteers plan to make several more local visits. First, they will attend the annual Christmas presentation Dec. 11 at Adobe Care in Wilmington to honor about 15 veterans. These veterans will receive donations of toiletries, T-shirts, baseball caps, and Dear Soldier letters written by students from Austin Preparatory School and Wilmington High School. WHS and Austin Prep students also regularly volunteer at these events.
iPod will then welcome 40 veterans to Andover City Hall on Dec. 16 and distribute electronic equipment and other donations.
Looking ahead to 2024, the nonprofit will create a new division called “Laptops for Veterans” effective Jan. 1, which will be announced at a press conference that day. The department’s goal is to help him raise $25,000 to purchase and distribute 100 warrantied laptops to local veterans.
Cardello explained that this focus is because laptops are the most needed item for veterans. He said having a laptop can help veterans recently returned from war submit job applications, receive medical records and participate in other important roles in society. .
This was made possible in part through a grant received from a foundation called Homes for Heroes. According to its website, Homes for Heroes, Inc. is a national network of real estate, mortgage and local business professionals who provide savings to those who serve their communities and nation every day.
A chapter supporting IFWV operates in Cranston, Rhode Island. Homes for Heroes President Michael Boehm nominated the Wilmington 501c3 for the grant. Homes for Heroes and iPods for Wounded Veterans will hold an event in Cranston, Rhode Island in June for about 100 veterans.
Cardello also said Cornell University is acting as a broker throughout the project.
The organization not only needs to raise $25,000 in donations, but has raised $3,750 of it so far. More volunteers are also needed to run the new department. Cardello invites anyone who would like to volunteer to join his team to email the following address: iwvcardello@gmail.com Or call us at 603-770-5336.
The new division will allow the organization to prioritize the needs of veterans and continue hosting events across the state and region.
Later next year, meaningful events will be held in Brockton and Gardener in May, Woburn and Tewksbury in April, and Wilmington in July to celebrate and recognize veterans, thank them for their service, and meet their real needs. We are planning an event to give back in a way.