ABOUT
our mission
At iPods for Wounded Veterans, we serve wounded American servicemen and servicewomen from the Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Our mission is to make injured veterans’ long months of rehabilitation easier and less repetitive. Our all-volunteer teams hand-deliver gifts of electronics, headphones, magazines and letters of encouragement.
OUR STORY
iPods for Wounded Veterans was founded by United States Military Veterans in 2011. When Paul Cardello and John Parker learned that wounded veterans recovering in military hospitals wanted one thing to make their days brighter — music — they immediately began putting together a collection of iPods.
Not long after, on their first trip to the Walter Reed Military Medical Center, they arrived with 32 iPods. And right away they realized that it wasn’t nearly enough. They came back to Boston and started raising money for another trip. Several weeks later, they went back with enough iPods and gifts for every wounded soldier they met.
Today, iPods for Wounded Veterans continues to provide MP3 players, tablets, headphones magazines, letters and more to improve the quality of life for our wounded Veterans. The intensive rehabilitation they require can take months, even years. These materials provide a diversion, easing the boredom and repeition of the rehabilitation and recovery process. Our Class A security clearance allows us to personally deliver these gifts to Military and Veterans hospitals, where we interact with veterans and their families one-on- one.
iPods for Wounded Veterans is made up entirely of volunteers – there are NO paid employees. Over 80% of all funds raised go directly back to the wounded veterans, with the only expenditures being those necessary to travel to and from hospitals.
We serve our wounded servicemen and servicewomen from the Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
donations are given to the following hospitals:
Veterans administration hospital of Massachusetts
- VA Bedford, MA
- VA Bedford Green, Bedford, MA
- VA Brockton, MA
- VA Howard House, Brockton, MA
- VA Leeds, MA
Veterans Administration Hospital of Florida
- VA Orlando, FL
- VA Tampa, FL
Veterans administration hospital of Arizona
- VA Phoenix, AZ
- VA Tucsan, AZ
Veterans administration hospital of Richmond Virginia
- Spinal Cord Institute
Veterans administration hospital of Rhode Island
- VA Providence, RI
Veterans administration hospital of CONNECTICUT
- VA West Haven, CT
Veterans administration hospital of MAINE
- VA Augusta, ME
Veterans administration hospital of Vermont
- VA White River Junction, VT
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
- Bethesda, MD
Fort Belvoir community hospital and USO center
- Fort Belvoir, VA
Poplar Springs Hospital
- Petersburg, VA
New Hampshire Veterans Home
- Tilton, NH
American Legions Sweeney Post
- Manchester, NH
Liberty House
- Manchester, NH
MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors consists of veterans and civilians who are fiercely dedicated to improving the rehabilitation and recovery of our wounded military servicemen and servicewomen.
TEAMSTER REPRESENTATIVES
MEDIA RELATIONS
In Loving Memory
Rest In Peace
Edwin J. Williams
March 11th, 1942 – May 12th, 2017
Rest In Peace
James R. Miceli
March 25th, 1935 – April 21st, 2018
GENEROUS SPONSORS and DONORS
From entertainers who perform for our troops to individuals who donate in memory of a beloved veteran, to local businesses that contribute to our work, we are extremely grateful to have the support of so many generous donors and sponsors.
To recognize donors who have given even more, we have created special designations.