Tech and tribute: iPods for Wounded Veterans visits Bedford Green
(4-5 minute read)
At Bedford Green in Bedford, Massachusetts, veterans gather not only to receive gifts - but to be reminded that their service is never forgotten.
Each year, residents of the Peabody Properties-managed housing community, which serves formerly unhoused veterans through HUD-VASH support, look forward to a visit from iPods for Wounded Veterans, a national non-profit started by Vietnam and World War II veterans. The organization, based in Wilmington, MA, has been distributing electronic gifts to veterans since 2011, bringing with them not just laptops and speakers - but gratitude, stories, and connection.
From an idea to an annual tradition
The annual event was sparked by Paul Cardello, Chairman of iPods for Wounded Veterans, and Jacquelyn Cope, and quickly found a home at Bedford Green in 2017, thanks to a collaboration with Peabody Properties. What began as a one-time donation became a yearly tradition - one that grows in attendance and impact every time.
“Every year, new residents move in, and the technology keeps changing,” Jacquelyn Cope, a Peabody Properties representative, said. “But one thing that never changes is the excitement and appreciation. For many, these are items they couldn’t afford or didn’t even know existed.”
Photo of veterans on March 15, 2025 at Bedford Green. Photo provided by PRFirst.
Gifts that go beyond gadgets
Flat screen TVs. Laptops. Bluetooth speakers. These aren’t just electronics - they’re tools for connection and comfort. Residents frequently express how much these gifts mean to them, both practically and emotionally.
“It means they’re being recognized for their service to their country,” said Cardello. “They’re so grateful that someone took the time to come see them.”
Beyond the gifts, the event provides education on emerging tech and an introduction to tools that can enhance everyday life - like listening to music on a new speaker or connecting with family through a laptop.
A chance to gather - and remember
More than a giveaway, the event has become a meaningful moment of community. Veterans share stories over a meal, connect with volunteers, and enjoy a space where their service is celebrated.
“They appreciate that they’re not forgotten,” Cardello emphasized. “That’s what they say most often.”
Cope echoed the sentiment: “They love the community feel - getting together, talking, being recognized by people who genuinely care.”
Photo of veterans on March 15, 2025 at Bedford Green. Photo provided by PRFirst.
Bridging generations with Austin Prep students
An especially beloved aspect of the event is the participation of students from Austin Prep High School. As Bedford Green serves veterans aged 55 and older, opportunities to engage with youth can be rare.
“Our residents love chatting with the students - reminiscing and seeing younger generations take an interest in them. It’s a meaningful exchange on both sides,” said Cope.
A growing mission with a national reach
Since its founding, iPods for Wounded Veterans has expanded from Massachusetts to states across the country, including Maine, Arizona, Virginia, and Washington D.C., where the group delivered donations to Walter Reed Medical Center for a decade.
Despite the national footprint, the group remains entirely volunteer-driven. “No one is paid,” Cardello noted. “We just want to give a little brightness to our veteran’s day.”
The next event is already on the horizon: on May 10, 2025, iPods for Wounded Veterans will visit Pleasant Street Apartments in Beverly, another Peabody-managed HUD-VASH site.
Looking ahead
Both organizations hope attendees leave with more than electronics. “We want them to feel appreciated,” said Cope. “To know that they’re part of a larger community.”
For those interested in supporting the mission, learn how to help and make a donation at iPodForWoundedVeterans.org or by contacting Paul Cardello directly at IWVCardello@gmail.com.
As Cardello put it, “We’re here to remind them: you are not forgotten.”
Photo of veterans and volunteers on March 15, 2025 at Bedford Green. Photo provided by PRFirst.
