The Chargers continued their impactful work to help out veterans in need.
The Bolts teamed up with Verizon a couple of weeks ago at U.S. Vets in Long Beach once again as part of their Salute to Service outreach in the community for a great cause that's aimed to elevate women veteran's technological capabilities.
U.S. Vets Long Beach, a non-profit organization, provides supportive services for veterans, including transitional housing, permanent housing, career development and housing services.
"We partnered with Verizon because we both have a common goal to give back to our community, but also give back to our veterans," Manager of Chargers Impact Fund Taylor Chavez said.
"One of the values here at U.S. Vets is instilling hope," Jessica Stevens, Program Director at U.S. Vets Long Beach, later added. "And that's what I think the Chargers and this service team is doing."
The mission on this event was to refurbish the dedicated computer and meeting space within the residence at U.S. Vets that allows female veterans to integrate into the community.
This included a major technological refresh for the multi-service room in the Women's Transitional Housing Program, which created workstations to include new computer equipment and office supplies, improve lighting with new lamps and provide decoration to include faux plants and inspirational art.
It will go a long way in helping these veterans get connected technologically — something some didn't have the luxury of doing.
It was a total technology transformation.
"The goal is to raise connectivity for a lot of these female veterans, really get them technologically advanced," Omar Flores-Romero, Chargers Senior Coordinator of Partnership Management said. "Technology can connect a lot of people, and that something that's super meaningful for Verizon, being able to connect them with family or loved ones.
"It's super important that they have this capability," he added.
It was the third year the team worked with U.S. Vets on a project, and one of the many events that took place during Salute to Service month.
This was a chance to be able to make a big difference and help revitalize what is a very important space for these veterans.
"It provides opportunities for women to create different skills," Chavez said. "Whether that's resume building or giving them a different outlet to find work or community support for whatever they need."
Chavez later added: "That will be a new space that they have that will give them access to the internet, have computers to have jobs and also give them some resources."
More than 20 volunteers helped build and set up the items in Long Beach, including Bolts employees and members of fan groups that wanted to be involved.
They helped build a lot of the equipment including the desks, lamps and much more.
Among them was former Chargers outside linebacker Larry English, who jumped at the opportunity to give back to this community which he has family ties with.
English joined the volunteers in building all the equipment for what was a very important event that can go a very long way for these special groups of people.
"This is an incredible project once it's completed," English said. "Really beautifying this place and getting it prepared for some families that have experienced some unfortunate hardships with homelessness and things of that nature prior to now.
"Getting the opportunity to move into this facility that's been ready for them is going to be a nice catalyst for change in their lives and an upstart opportunity for them," English added. "We're really excited to have this opportunity to be involved and lead a helping hand in this endeavor."
