100 veterans and counting!
by Randall Rutta, President and CEO
Easter Seals President and CEO Randall Rutta (2nd from the right) at the Padres game (Photo credit: Sandy Huffaker)
Earlier this week I returned from a trip to Southern California, where I had the privilege to connect with Delores and Bob Hope’s granddaughter Miranda Hope and join her in celebrating the 100th veteran to obtain employment through Easter Seals.
Less than two years ago, the Bob and Delores Hope Foundation invested in Easter Seals’ efforts to support veterans with securing employment, creating the Easter Seals Bob Hope Veterans Support Program. In partnership with Easter Seals Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, Easter Seals Southern California has in that time helped 100 veterans to secure jobs and supported nearly twice that number with job-readiness, transition to education, and relocation.
This exciting program milestone was celebrated by CVS Health and Easter Seals last Monday, where Mike Brotherton pitched the first ball in a Padres-Mets game. While he successfully threw a fast, straight pitch directly into the catcher’s mitt, things didn’t go as well for the Padres.
Five hundred CVS Health associates attended the game, raising $5,000 for Easter Seals’ veterans employment services. Regional CVS Health executives Hank Casillas and Doug Palmieri joined Easter Seals Southern California CEO Mark Whitley, Veteran Program Director John Funk, Miranda Hope, and me on the field for the check presentation and a shout out to Easter Seals for our work with veterans and their families.
It was a proud night for our CVS Health partners, the Hope Family and Easter Seals, and you can find out more from the local NBC story about Mike and Easter Seals veterans employment program.
My thanks to all of you Easter Seals blog followers for your enthusiasm for Easter Seals’ support of the military and veterans communities. We are truly making a difference for the men and women that have so bravely and selflessly served our nation.