The Chargers got to work on Sunday morning to make a huge difference in the lives of veterans.
In partnership with Verizon, the Bolts and many volunteers gathered at U.S. Vets Long Beach this past Sunday as part of their Salute to Service outreach in community.
U.S. Vets Long Beach, a non-profit organization, provides supportive services for veterans, including transitional housing, permanent housing, career development and housing services.
It was the third year the team worked with U.S. Vets on a project, and the chance to be able to make a big difference and help revitalize spaces for the veterans was a no-brainer for everyone involved.
"For us, in partnership with Verizon, it was a huge benefit for us to really give back to our veterans for all they sacrifice and all that they did for us to be here today," Chargers Impact Fund Manager Taylor Chavez said. "It was one way we felt both organizations had a strong connection to. We thought what better way to give back than rebuilding and beautifying some spaces for veterans."
Chavez later added: "This is our third year doing service projects here. We've built a strong relationship with U.S. Vets and also all of their veterans have gotten to know us pretty well. We love coming back and giving back to them."
Sunday's event featured a beautification event for the Bridge Housing Women's (BHW) Program, which is on-site at the location. The program serves the unique needs of women transitioning out of homelessness and empowers veteran women on their journey towards stability and independence.
The group spent the morning and afternoon rejuvenating common and communal spaces at the location that would help enhance what the program could offer to its residents.
Since a lot of the things are shared in the units, the items added will go a long way.
"Our units for women and children are a shared bedroom with common bathroom, kitchen and living room," Program Director at U.S. Vets Long Beach Location Jessica Stevens said. "They get a lot of wear and tear because there's so many families going through there.
"To have new furniture, new paint and equipment brought in is a real treat for our women," she added.
Some of the items included couches, chairs, lamps, a dining area and an inviting patio set.
More than 20 volunteers helped build and set up the items in Long Beach, including Bolts employees and fans who took the time out of their Sunday for a great cause.
"I've learned veterans are super underappreciated," Jorge Rodriguez, Brand & Visual Identity Designer for the Chargers said. "It's good to figure out ways to help them out, hear their stories because it's the ultimate sacrifice.
"To be able to learn more about that, the least we can do and be out here and give back to a community that's given so much," he added.
Among those giving a helping hand was former Chargers outside linebacker Larry English, who was on site and joined the volunteers.
For English, whose father was in the military and grandfather was a World War II veteran and huge figure in his life, the opportunity to give back to this community was a big reason he felt like he needed to be a part of.
"Simply knowing that we're really impacting families and to think about the fact of having a roof over ones head and food, these are human needs and necessities," English said. "To know we can aid in the efforts for providing that for families that did not have it was an incredible feeling and something I wanted to be a part of."
It was an impactful Sunday in Long Beach that will go a very long way in the organization's efforts to empower veterans and their families.
"I can't wait for their reactions because a lot of things that they have in there now aren't completely accessible," Chavez said. "For them to be able to have items that are working and functioning, to provide them those necessary things they need to move on to permanent housing."
Stevens added: "We are so excited to have the support of the Chargers today because they're LA's team and this is an LA County, Long Beach effort. To have our home to here to support those who once served and now are back home means a lot to us. We're really excited for this partnership."
