Page 3 - Aerotech News and Review, April 15, 2022

Community rallies to raise funds for local veterans
by KC Rawley
staff writer
On Friday evening, April 1, a few days after National Vietnam Veterans Day, veterans and community mem- bers gathered to raise approximately $20,000 for the important work of car- ing for and supporting veterans of all wars.
The Vets4Veterans 5th annual “Eve- ning of Community Support,” was held at the Hellenic Center in Lancaster, Ca- lif. The buffet dinner, silent and dessert auctions made for a festive atmosphere despite the sobering work Vets4Veter- ans and other community groups do, supporting veterans with housing, food insecurity, and job training, as well as physical and mental health.
Vets4Veterans has its roots in a 2010 classic car show organized by Tom Hilzerdeger and went on become to become the multifaceted organization it is today.
It has been a difficult year for the group. Hilzerdeger died in 2020, and another seminal member, Jack Wool- bert, died in March of this year, leaving John Parsamyan as acting president.
Megan Hilzerdeger, Tom’s widow, spoke with Aerotech News about Vets- 4Veteran’s mission, and said there will be a meeting this month to arrange elections for new officers.
The group delivers food to around 50 to 55 families each month, delivered by “a slew of drivers and volunteers” Hilzerdeger said. Northrop Grumman gave them a large COVID Relief Grant to support this effort, which has been going on for two years now, according to their website.
She pointed out that the Vets4Vet- erans’ service impacts not just the for- mer service person themself, but also spouses and families, including wid- ows and widowers with their new Sur- viving Spouse Program. “When their loved one passes away, we help guide them. They are in real need.”
The veteran group Homes4Families had a table at the dinner. According to Hilzerdeger, they are but one of the groups that also help veterans, co- ordinate with and support other orga- nizations.
“We stress that it’s the whole com- munity, not just Vets4Veterans,” Hil- zerdeger said. “We all definitely work together. We give help with immedi- ate needs: put people in hotels, provide food. Wherever the money is needed is
Photographs by KC Rawley
The Vets4Veterans 5th annual “Evening of Community Support,” held at the Hellenic Center in Lancaster was a sold-out event with a buffet dinner and a dessert auction.
The Antelope Valley Young Marines served as the color guard for the Vets4Veterans 5th annual “Evening of Community Support,” held at the Hellenic Center in Lancaster, Calif.
what we do.”
She said that in 2019, Vets4Veteran
purchased a house where “a veteran and their family can get back on their feet.” V ets4V eterans are fundraising to build “quality, low-income housing for veterans in the Antelope Valley,” said Hilzerdeger.
In Project Restart Scholarships, the
organization provides scholarships for vet’s job training or going to Antelope V alley College. They have partnered with Parsamyan, owner of Armed Ser- vices Auto Body, paying for materials needed to train vets in spray painting aluminum and fiberglass which mim- ics painting the F-35, machining mi- croparts, and spot welding, all skills used in aerospace.
Three veterans assisted by Vets- 4Veterans spoke about what impact the organization’s help had on their lives and careers. Darius Dear, Jessy Martinez and Charles Wilson were able to give an inside look at how important a hand-up can be to a vet struggling to reintegrate themselves into the com- munity.
While introducing Tony Tortolano, the evening’s honoree, Ben Berk said that the Marine Corps veteran embod- ies that service’s core values: “Honor, Courage and Commitment — Those are things Tony still lives by, every day.
“You can count on Tony for any- thing: getting a vet to a doctor’s ap-
One of the treats in the dessert auction was this cake honoring the Vets4Veterans founder, the late Tom Hilzendeger.
Various political figures gave plaques to the evening’s honoree, volunteer Tony Tortolano. From left, Palmdale councilwoman Laura Bettencourt; Carlo Basail, field representative for Assemblyman Tom Lackey; Brandon Roque, 36th assembly district field representative; Tortolano; Christine Ward, from Senator Scott Wilk’s office; and Chuck Bostwick, field representative for L.A Co. Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
pointment, helping out at every organi- zation in the Antelope Valley, bringing mysonatoy—younameit;Tonyis always there,” Berk said.
Tortolano took the podium and said, “I am humbled and honored to receive this award, although that’s not why I do what I do.”
Tall and striking in a grey suit and black shirt, Tortolano called for two World War II veterans in the audience
to stand and be recognized and led the singing of Happy Birthday to his moth- er, who turned 90 on April 2.
Tortolano, who is also the vice presi- dent of Coffee4VETS, gave a shout out to the founders of V ets4V eterans say- ing, “Jack and Tom, you will always be missed, but never forgotten.”
“I can only hope to continue your legacy.”
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