KIND Snacks and Cell Phones for Soldiers team up to help veterans at Massachusetts Bay Veterans Center
SOMERVILLE– Staff from both KIND Snacks and Cell Phones for Soldiers (CPFS) made a special visit to the Massachusetts Bay Veterans Center (MBVC), a program owned and operated by Volunteers of America Massachusetts that provides affordable housing and other resources to formerly homeless veterans. During the visit, KIND representatives donated bedding, blankets, dishware, and MBTA transit cards. Robbie Bergquist, the co-founder of Cell Phones for Soldiers was present, along with his parents Bob and Gail Bergquist who are actively involved in the non-profit. After the donation was presented to residents and the program director, Anthony Joseph, the representatives all volunteered for a landscaping project to beautify the MBVC exterior.
The charitable donation was a part KIND’s #thankskindly campaign. In recognition of military appreciation month, the company came up with a unique way to thank veterans. For every tweet using the hashtag #thankskindly, KIND will have the note specially written by a robot that will then be delivered to veterans and military personnel.
Volunteers of America Massachusetts has received support from CPFS in the past. This is the second year in a row they’ve donated calling cards to MBVC and they participated as a provider at the Massachusetts Stand Down last August. VOAMA President and CEO, Tom Bierbaum commented, “Many of the veteran residents come to us with little to no belongings of their own. The continued support from [CPFS] and now KIND allows us to provide the best possible care to veterans.”
Volunteers met many of the veteran residents of the center. The veterans were able to share their stories of what brought them to the MBVC and how the program is providing them safe and sober housing as well as helping them find jobs, health care and more.
As an added bonus, residents from MBVC and other local veteran agencies were invited to a Red Sox game as guests of honor. Prior to the game they were treated to a special catered meal courtesy of KIND Snacks. It was a time for more representatives from KIND and CPFS to meet with and give thanks to veterans and active duty military personnel of Massachusetts.
About Volunteers of America Massachusetts: Volunteers of America Massachusetts is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving those most in need, especially the vulnerable, the hardest to serve, and those facing multiple challenges. Our work touches the mind, body, heart, and spirit of those we serve. Volunteers of America Massachusetts provides comprehensive programs for veterans, at-risk youth, adults and youth in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, elders in need of housing and health services, and those in need of mental health treatment.
Pictured: 2544-Robbie Bergquist, James Russo (KIND Snacks Regional Field Marketing Manager – Northeast), Abdul (MBVC Resident), Anthony Joseph (MBVC Program Director), Howard Bennett (MBVC Case Manager), Stan (MBVC Resident)
1703: James Russo, Robbie, Rob, and Gail Bergquist volunteering
1715: Robbie Bergquist, Melita Little (VOA Communications Coordinator), and James Russo
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