April 21, 2025 • 22 mins
Wes Wilburn welcomes listeners to a deeply meaningful episode featuring a crucial conversation with Matt Milazzo, senior manager at the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Born and raised in Staten Island with a family dedicated to public service, Matt shares how the foundation's mission to eradicate veteran homelessness resonates with his personal values and professional aspirations.
The heart of this episode centers on the foundation's innovative approach to combating veteran homelessness through strategically located Veterans Villages—renovated hotels transformed into supportive housing communities. Matt explains their two-pronged strategy: providing immediate housing through these villages while simultaneously addressing the root causes of homelessness through personalized support services. Since late 2022, they've already helped over 10,000 veterans transition off the streets. These villages aren't just shelters; they're comprehensive rehabilitation centers strategically positioned near VA facilities to ensure ongoing medical support.
A critical need emerges during their discussion—transportation. The foundation urgently requires wheelchair-accessible passenger vans to transport veterans to medical appointments and other essential services. This presents a unique opportunity for the towing and recovery industry to make a tangible difference. Wes passionately calls on listeners to donate suitable vans or salvageable accessibility equipment, pledging his personal assistance in coordinating transportation to wherever the foundation needs these vehicles nationwide. Beyond vehicle donations, Matt details additional ways to support their mission, including their symbolic $11 monthly donation program and various fundraising opportunities.
The episode concludes with Towing News Now, highlighting recent industry developments including Chicago's efforts to combat predatory towing practices, controversial vehicle removal operations in California, and sobering reminders of the dangers tow operators face. These stories underscore why initiatives like the Tunnel to Towers partnership matter—they demonstrate how an industry often misunderstood by the public can be a powerful force for good in communities across America.
Ready to make a difference? Contact the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at 718-987-1931 or visit t2t.org to learn how you can support their mission to ensure no veteran remains homeless.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome one and all to the American Towing Recovery
Institute podcast.
I want to remind all of youthat the American Towing
Recovery Institute aims topromote professionalism, safety
and education within the towingand recovery industry.
Remember, we provide trainingand certification programs for
towing operators.
(00:26):
We also advocate for industrystandards and best practices,
support research and develop allnew techniques, including
research and development ofelectric and alternative fuel
vehicles With extensive research, with the EV Clever app,
available now on Apple andGoogle Play stores, foster
(00:50):
cooperation among industrystakeholders.
Here's my dear friend and agreat guy for our industry, wes
Wilder.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Well, we're here at the United Recyclers Group trade
show here in Orlando, florida,going on at the same time as the
professional wrecker operatorsof Florida's tow show the
world's largest tow show Feelingreally good.
Today we had a great class.
Yesterday we had over 120people in for a heavy-duty class
focusing on electric vehicles,made my announcement yesterday.
(01:23):
Look on Facebook.
We have joined up with one ofthe consolidators putting in a
permanent training facility.
Go to Facebook live for eitherWest Wolverine, the American Toe
and Recovery Institute, orProfessional Rec Operators of
Florida.
So we're excited, we're pumpedup, we're very excited to be
here and I'm even more excitedto be here helping with DJ
(01:44):
Harrington's tremendous support.
Y'all know DJ, the toe doctor,but he's given tremendous
support to Tunnels, to Towers'efforts to provide
transportation for theirhomeless veteran centers that
they're putting in around thecountry.
And I need all my listenerslistening to think about what
(02:07):
you got, what you can give, tohelp make this happen.
So we're sitting here with Mattfrom Tunnels, from Towers.
Matt, what's your position?
Again, I'm sorry, so I'm asenior manager on our
development team.
Okay, and you're the one that'sputting all this together right,
yes, I am.
Excellent, excellent thingyou're doing Introduce yourself
to my crowd.
I think my crowd doesn't knowyou as much as the Towers.
(02:29):
So introduce yourself a littlebit and tell us a little bit
about yourself.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Yeah, so my name's Matt Malazzo.
I'm with the Tunnel to TowersFoundation.
As I said before, I'm seniormanager on our development team.
You know, the foundation reallymeans near and dear to my heart
.
I come from a first responderfamily.
My brother's a cop.
My father worked in corrections, being born and raised in
Staten Island, new York.
You know, I was very young when9-11 happened but you know, as
(02:56):
I grew up and matured, reallyseeing all the videos, it just I
always had a passion for ourfirst responders and our
military.
And you know, and when I wasseeking employment and I came
across Tunnel to Towers, I saidthis is a perfect fit, this is
exactly for me, this is what I'mlooking for and it's actually
been over three years and I'm soglad that I get to work for an
(03:18):
organization that I wake upevery morning and it puts a
smile on my face.
And then I get to meet greatpeople like yourself and DJ.
You know we get to see uniquecommunities come together and
help help our veterans, so thisis awesome yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
um unique community part I can really connect with
as well.
Um, growing up in Staten Island, uh, I have to imagine that, as
you said, that made you veryaware.
I just did a class in New Yorkand and we did it at a fire
training center and there werestill things discussed et cetera
.
I mean, it's elastic.
Sometimes it has I don't knowwhat the right terminology is
(03:57):
it's affected a generation andit's so good to hear that you
found this is your right fit.
I can imagine you know MarkTwain said the person that makes
their vacation is a luckyperson, and I can only imagine
the feeling that you get in yourheart for what you're doing to
help some of these folks.
So tell us a little bit about,maybe a brief overview of the
(04:21):
centers and then we can talkmore about the transportation
needs.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
Yeah, absolutely.
Uh.
Back in late 2022, uh, thefoundation made the announcement
that we were going to uheradicate veteran homelessness
in the united states, and so wehave a two-prong approach where
we do this.
So we have our veteransvillages that we're building
throughout the country.
Um, so these are a mix between,uh, distressed hotels that
(04:44):
we're purchasing and then we'rerenovating into studio style
apartments, and every one ofthese villages are going to have
supportive services on site, soit's not just a roof over their
head for the veterans.
We're also trying to eliminatethe root cause of the
homelessness and we're treatingevery veteran on a unique basis.
We're not doing a cookie cutter, assembly line style of
(05:05):
treatment.
We treat everybody uniquely andwe want to help every single
veteran.
And the other way is becausethese villages are popping up
throughout the country, but weunderstand they're not
everywhere currently, and so wehave a unique network, what we
call our National CaseManagement Network, where, if a
veteran reaches out to us andthey they need assistance, and
say in, in the event that wedon't have a village in that
(05:27):
area, we're still going to finda way to help them.
So we work with a bunch ofother organizations and we
partner together to help aveteran that is awesome.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Um, I currently live in fayetteville, north carolina,
which is a very big militarytown.
I see this problem firsthand.
So it's very, very, verygratifying to see you folks
doing something, especially ayounger person like yourself to
be involved.
That just does my heart verygood.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Well, I have some good news to share for you in
North Carolina.
I can't tell you exactly where,but probably in the next few
months or so you're going to seesomething, You're going to hear
some stuff in North CarolinaAwesome.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
We can't wait.
We can't wait.
It's definitely needed in ourarea Also.
I grew up outside of WashingtonDC so I've been familiar with
homelessness for a long time.
But the fact that people go andserve our country and come back
and, you know, have a littleissue or whatever, and it leads
down those stairs, it's good tohear that someone's there to
(06:27):
think about it and try to helpfix it.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Absolutely.
And one thing that I have togive credit to one of my
colleagues that said one timeand it really just stuck with me
, and it's stuck with me sinceit's the word homeless and
veteran those two words togethershould not belong in the same
sentence.
Amen, and I'm so glad to saythat I, you know, I I get to
work for tunnel to towers, whereyou know we're making the
(06:49):
commitment to get homelessveterans off the street and
really help them.
Um, to date, like I said, we westarted this program in late
2022 and we've already helpedover 10 000 veterans get off the
street that is awesome.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
that is absolutely awesome.
So let's talk a little bitabout the transportation needs.
Yep, as I understand it,originally the thought process
had been 15 passenger vans, butyou folks have backed up from
that under some good advice, Iguess, I believe some good
advice, rather so, right now,the need is for mid-sized vans
(07:27):
that are handicapped orwheelchair handicapped equipped
yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
So for these veterans villages, I would say, um, good
, good, good, baseline, I wouldsay probably around like a 10
passenger passenger van, butdefinitely if, if we have
something with, uh you know,wheelchair accessibility,
because, because what happens is, in these villages we utilize
these vans to actually get ourrecipients to and from their
appointments.
So, yes, we provide supportiveservices on the ground at the
(07:55):
village itself, but we also workclosely with the VA hospitals.
So all the villages arestrategically located near a VA
operation, a VA hospital clinic,et cetera, and so, with that in
particular, we also want to getour veteran recipients, we want
to get them to and from theirappointments, and so these vans
(08:15):
help us tremendously to do that,and a lot of times too, in some
of our villages we do haveindividuals that are currently
in a wheelchair, and so we wantto be able to help them as well.
So that's where the wheelchairaccessibility comes in.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
So all my friends listening, I need you to keep an
eye out in your tow yards anddifferent body shops and
businesses you deal with.
Look, we need to find thesevans, we need to get them to
them.
If you have a van and you can't, if you have a decent van to
(08:55):
donate, I don't care where it isin the country, I'll get it
there.
We've proven with getting thetow truck out of Missouri to
western North Carolina after thefloods.
You folks step up for me bigtime and made the handoff and
heck, we moved that truck allthose miles and I think it was a
day and a half.
So if you've got a decent vanthat you want to donate, first
(09:17):
of all talk to your accountant.
I'm not an accountant but I'msure you can write it all off
and I'll help.
We'll help whatever it takes toget it there.
Write it all off and I'll help.
We'll help whatever it takes toget it there.
And then also, if you have it,maybe it might even be a wrecked
van with the handicapaccessibility.
Don't junk that.
Let's get that stuff off thatvan.
We're going to find a van toput it on.
I'll help make that happen.
(09:38):
Reach out to me personally, butwe need to as a towing industry.
We need to step up.
You know, all of us I don'tcare who you are a couple bad
breaks in life.
We could all end up like this.
So we need to step up and helpwhile we can.
So, with that being said, I'masking everyone reach out to me
(10:01):
personally.
Whatever you've got for vans,reach out to me personally.
Whatever you've got for vansMaybe it's an inoperable I'm
looking for operable,good-conditioned vans.
I'm looking for the handicapaccessibility.
Are there other needs?
What about at the center?
Is there?
Speaker 3 (10:22):
going to need a staff car or something like that.
Yes, there's plenty ofopportunities.
There also are a couple ofunique ways to get involved as
well.
So you know, there's definitelya need for passenger vans at
every village.
We would like to have one atevery village, but then there's
also, you know, there's ways too.
You know one of the things youmentioned before.
You know, if you have a vehiclethat you're thinking about
scrapping or you have a vehiclethat you're no longer using,
(10:44):
maybe you're considering donate.
We do have a program that canaccept vehicle donations and
that can help our cause as well.
But even then, say, if youdon't have a vehicle and you
still want to support Tunnel toTowers, we have a great way to
do it.
There's an $11 a month programthat we do and it's a tremendous
way to get involved.
You know $11 a month.
Why $11 a month?
You know our foundation wasstarted after 9-11 and $11 a
(11:06):
month is, you know, prettynominal costs to a lot of people
.
You know for me personally thatyou know, back in New York,
that's lunch.
So you know, and with somethinglike that, if we, you know, if
we get everybody together todonate $11 a month, we can help
every single one of our nation'sheroes.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
That's awesome.
We're not on the $11 a monthprogram yet, but we're going to
be on it today, thank you, and Ichallenge everyone within the
sound of my voice to get on this$11 a month program.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
What else can we do?
Yeah, there's so many differentother ways to get involved with
the foundation, I mean bothmonetarily.
There's also many differentother ways to get involved with
the foundation, both monetarily.
There's also ways ofvolunteering, even if you want
to orchestrate your ownfundraisers, there's a great
opportunity with that.
Me personally, my role rightnow I'm putting on a lot of
signature experiences, some thatgo along with that.
(12:01):
I'm putting on sporting clayfundraisers, I'm doing fishing
tournaments, I'm doing carrallies, the list goes on, so.
But there's plenty of uniqueways to get involved.
I mean, you know there's I'msure there's probably so many
listeners here that are businessowners.
You know there may be even someway.
You know you want to do acampaign where it's like hey,
you know percentage of proceedsfrom from this, this sale, or or
(12:22):
whatever the idea can be.
That could be something whereyou give back to the foundation
as well.
You can have roundup campaigns.
There's so many unique ways toget involved.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
That's awesome.
If somebody wants to reach outand talk to you directly, how
can they contact you?
Speaker 3 (12:39):
Yeah, so the best way to reach out to the foundation
is to reach out to our callcenter, so you can reach out at
718-987-1931 and speak with arepresentative and tell them
what you're really thinking,what you would like to do, and
we'll get you through to theright person.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Give me that number one more time 718-987-1931.
Is there a website they can getmore information as well Of
course there is.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
We make it pretty simple.
So our website is t2torg, Againthe letter T, the number 2, the
letter Torg.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
So, as an American citizen, I just want to thank
you for helping take care of ourveterans.
We're going to stay committedto this.
Dj has just been wonderfulbringing this up and he's just a
wonderful person.
I can't thank God enough forbringing him into my life.
So I'd like to invite you backon in a short period of time and
(13:34):
we'll talk again and see howwe're doing.
Absolutely, I would love that.
Thank you for taking your timetoday.
Again, folks, let's step up andsupport this thing.
All I've got to say is Godbless.
Speaker 5 (13:49):
For electric and other alternative fuel vehicles.
We have developed an app thatgives you all the manufacturers
411 for when that 911 happens.
Whether you are a fire tow orpolice, we got you covered.
To find the EV Clever app, goto your Apple or Google Play
store for a 30-day free trial.
Speaker 6 (14:07):
We also offer the National Tow Operator
Certification an independentlysourced virtual testing program
covering light duty, heavy duty,electric and alternative fuel
vehicle.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Now here is Towing News Now.
Speaker 6 (14:23):
I'm Wesley Wilburn and this is Towing News.
Now here's a story out ofChicago of the city council
board advancing a new bid toprotect drivers from rogue
towing companies chargingthousands of dollars just to tow
their cars.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
For years, we've been telling you about rogue towing
companies that victimize drivers, towing their cars and then
charging exorbitant fees to getthem back.
Speaker 7 (14:45):
Now some new proposed legislation hopes to protect
the drivers.
Our Sabrina Franza is alwaysinvestigating.
She's here, and how do we thinkthis would work?
It's actually reallyinteresting, joe Murray.
What we're thinking about thisnew ordinance is that it would
put tow truck drivers who areunlicensed, who are taking
advantage of drivers instressful, scary situations, on
notice.
It would give Chicago policeofficers the authority to tow
(15:08):
their tow trucks.
Speaker 8 (15:11):
I finally get my truck back.
Two months later they actuallystole my vehicle.
Speaker 7 (15:16):
Countless stories, $3,600.
The same complaints Drivers getinto an accident and a tow
truck company shows up.
Only some companies areunlicensed broke.
They charge thousands ofdollars for drivers to get their
cars back.
Speaker 9 (15:33):
We're probably dealing with this about five to
six times a week.
Speaker 7 (15:35):
John O'Donnell is the vice president of risk
management at Enterprise, thecar rental company.
His customers and company havebeen victims.
Speaker 9 (15:43):
It becomes a process of trying to get these vehicles
released, and typically theywant cash.
Speaker 7 (15:49):
We've reported on incidents where the company has
asked for almost $60,000 to getsomeone's vehicle back.
The Illinois CommerceCommission, which is the
oversight body providinglicenses to these groups, will
flag and fine them.
Many times the businesses willdisband and rebrand under a new
name to start the practice allover again.
Speaker 9 (16:10):
We need some teeth within the legislation.
Speaker 7 (16:12):
Legislation discussed today in a city council
committee.
The high fence with the barbedwire on it that should be a red
flag.
Speaker 9 (16:20):
It allows for CPD once we've determined who the
bad actors are, cpd to tow thebad tow truck drivers and really
start to crack down on thisindustry.
Speaker 7 (16:30):
The proposed ordinance also allows victims to
sue the rogue actors.
Speaker 9 (16:34):
As we begin to deal with this issue, the bad actors
are going to try to find ways toskirt the system.
Actors.
As we begin to deal with thisissue, the bad actors are going
to try to find ways to skirt thesystem, and so we just got to
continue to have this evolve tomake sure that we can finally
put an end to this.
Speaker 7 (16:45):
This new ordinance passed unanimously in the
committee, which means they'llgo to a full city council vote
next week.
It's expected to pass.
Speaker 6 (16:52):
Here's a story out of California of a towing
operation towing away abandonedcars and boats off the streets
in Fairfield, california, andthe complaints that come their
way part of a recent enforcementoperation.
Speaker 10 (17:05):
They just pulled up with two tow trucks and one
white unmarked car.
One dude got out pointed to thetwo cars and boom, they were
gone.
Fairfield police say trafficofficers are working with code
(17:26):
enforcement units for dedicatedoperations, targeting abandoned
vehicles, boats and trailersparked in the area of streets
with the names of states andpresidents.
During an operation April 1st,officers towed 20 vehicles and
issued 24 parking tickets.
On April 4th, a follow-upoperation resulted in 21 more
(17:47):
towed vehicles and 39 parkingtickets.
Police say this is about morethan just tickets and tows.
They say it's about quotebuilding a stronger, safer
community together.
They already don't have nowhereto go but advocate for the
unhoused.
Larry Lee Jackson Jr says thepolice are taking apart the
(18:07):
community by towing awaypeople's homes.
Speaker 8 (18:10):
To take the cars and where they're living in.
It's making it harder on them.
It's not really making it easy,and so it's just like we have
to combat the more trauma thatthey're living at.
It's making it harder on them.
It's not really making it easy,and so it's just like we have
to combat the more trauma thatthey're already going through
Police say they've received 35more complaints after the two
operations calling abandonedcars eyesores that create
(18:32):
hazards and bring more neglectand illegal dumping to the
neighborhoods, but as a city weshould be more compassionate
towards the people that's coming.
I think they're coming here forrescue.
Speaker 10 (18:40):
They leave parks on a main street.
Brockman says her son stilldoesn't have his cars and says
they shouldn't have been towedin the first place.
They were going down the wholestreet.
It was crazy In Fairfield.
Michelle Bandork.
Speaker 6 (18:55):
We'll keep you updated on this towing operation
.
Here's a story out of LakeAlfred, Florida, about a tale
that's becoming too common Aperson pulling a gun on a tow
truck operator for doing his job.
Speaker 11 (19:11):
Dealing with angry people comes with the territory,
but for one driver in PolkCounty, being chased down and
having a gun pulled on while onthe road is another level
entirely.
Well, it was a horrifyingexperience and it was all caught
on video.
Yeah, fox 13's Carla Byronactually spoke with the business
owner about what could havepossibly led the suspect to do
(19:31):
it.
Speaker 12 (19:32):
Tyler Bolton is the owner of Bolton's Towing Service
in Winter Haven.
On March 29th, shortly before 9pm, one of his drivers was
heading down Highway 92 intoLake Alfred from Auburdale when
this happened.
Speaker 13 (19:45):
When he stopped at the red light in Lake Alfred,
the passenger jumped out of thepassenger window with a gun, ran
up to the truck and beat on thewindow at the driver.
Speaker 12 (19:56):
The driver took off to get away and the suspect
chased after him.
However, once the driver got tothe Auburndale Police
Department, the suspect gave up.
Bolton says the frighteningexperience has left the truck
driver fearful and anxious.
Speaker 13 (20:10):
It's hard for him to go out every day and do what he
does.
Not sure if this person'stargeting him, the truck, the
company, we have no clue.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
Police say it's unclear what exactly set the
suspect off, because it doesn'tappear the tow truck driver
provoked him in any way.
Running up to somebody'svehicle, armed or unarmed, in
today's world you may get a bigsurprise if somebody else may be
armed too, and with thatsituation, whatever the
situation that happened on theroadway, I don't know that it
meets any criteria that we needto get guns out and start
threatening anybody.
Speaker 12 (20:43):
Police say they're still working to identify the
vehicle involved and are workingto get more video surveillance
footage.
If caught, the suspect islikely to face a charge of
felonious aggravated assault atthe very least.
Speaker 13 (20:56):
It's obnoxious and there's zero care for anybody
else's life.
Speaker 12 (20:58):
Bolton says the suspect must be held accountable
.
Speaker 13 (21:02):
To be honest, you know, with a different person in
that truck may have not endedso well for the person that
pulled the gun.
Speaker 6 (21:08):
Motives are unclear at the moment, but we'll keep
you updated on the case.
Here's another story of crimeout of High Point, North
Carolina, near Charlotte, NorthCarolina, of a woman caught
driving a stolen tow truck.
Speaker 11 (21:22):
High Point officers have charged a woman they say
stole a tow truck.
Police arrested Rachel RickettsSaturday on West Green Street.
They say the truck was reportedstolen out of Raleigh last
month.
Ricketts is also facing a listof drug charges, as well as a
felony for trying to eludearrest.
Speaker 6 (21:39):
Lastly, we have some good news out of Cornwell,
Connecticut, of a man learninghis fate for the death of a tow
truck driver.
Speaker 14 (21:48):
And a man has been sentenced following a deadly
crash in 2022.
Luis Resto will spend 15 yearsin prison after a crash that
killed a tow truck driver inNorth Haven.
Prosecutors do say he hit38-year-old Christopher Russell
on I-91.
Russell had just finishedfixing a flat tire on the
shoulder when he was hit.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
There you go, folks, the most recent news on the
brand new Towing News channel.
I'll see you next week withmore information on the latest
news in our industry.
Welcome one and all to the American Towing Recovery
Institute podcast.
I want to remind all of youthat the American Towing
Recovery Institute aims topromote professionalism, safety
and education within the towingand recovery industry.
Remember, we provide trainingand certification programs for
towing operators.
(00:26):
We also advocate for industrystandards and best practices,
support research and develop allnew techniques, including
research and development ofelectric and alternative fuel
vehicles With extensive research, with the EV Clever app,
available now on Apple andGoogle Play stores, foster
(00:50):
cooperation among industrystakeholders.
Here's my dear friend and agreat guy for our industry, wes
Wilder.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Well, we're here at the United Recyclers Group trade
show here in Orlando, florida,going on at the same time as the
professional wrecker operatorsof Florida's tow show the
world's largest tow show Feelingreally good.
Today we had a great class.
Yesterday we had over 120people in for a heavy-duty class
focusing on electric vehicles,made my announcement yesterday.
(01:23):
Look on Facebook.
We have joined up with one ofthe consolidators putting in a
permanent training facility.
Go to Facebook live for eitherWest Wolverine, the American Toe
and Recovery Institute, orProfessional Rec Operators of
Florida.
So we're excited, we're pumpedup, we're very excited to be
here and I'm even more excitedto be here helping with DJ
(01:44):
Harrington's tremendous support.
Y'all know DJ, the toe doctor,but he's given tremendous
support to Tunnels, to Towers'efforts to provide
transportation for theirhomeless veteran centers that
they're putting in around thecountry.
And I need all my listenerslistening to think about what
(02:07):
you got, what you can give, tohelp make this happen.
So we're sitting here with Mattfrom Tunnels, from Towers.
Matt, what's your position?
Again, I'm sorry, so I'm asenior manager on our
development team.
Okay, and you're the one that'sputting all this together right,
yes, I am.
Excellent, excellent thingyou're doing Introduce yourself
to my crowd.
I think my crowd doesn't knowyou as much as the Towers.
(02:29):
So introduce yourself a littlebit and tell us a little bit
about yourself.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Yeah, so my name's Matt Malazzo.
I'm with the Tunnel to TowersFoundation.
As I said before, I'm seniormanager on our development team.
You know, the foundation reallymeans near and dear to my heart
.
I come from a first responderfamily.
My brother's a cop.
My father worked in corrections, being born and raised in
Staten Island, new York.
You know, I was very young when9-11 happened but you know, as
(02:56):
I grew up and matured, reallyseeing all the videos, it just I
always had a passion for ourfirst responders and our
military.
And you know, and when I wasseeking employment and I came
across Tunnel to Towers, I saidthis is a perfect fit, this is
exactly for me, this is what I'mlooking for and it's actually
been over three years and I'm soglad that I get to work for an
(03:18):
organization that I wake upevery morning and it puts a
smile on my face.
And then I get to meet greatpeople like yourself and DJ.
You know we get to see uniquecommunities come together and
help help our veterans, so thisis awesome yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
um unique community part I can really connect with
as well.
Um, growing up in Staten Island, uh, I have to imagine that, as
you said, that made you veryaware.
I just did a class in New Yorkand and we did it at a fire
training center and there werestill things discussed et cetera
.
I mean, it's elastic.
Sometimes it has I don't knowwhat the right terminology is
(03:57):
it's affected a generation andit's so good to hear that you
found this is your right fit.
I can imagine you know MarkTwain said the person that makes
their vacation is a luckyperson, and I can only imagine
the feeling that you get in yourheart for what you're doing to
help some of these folks.
So tell us a little bit about,maybe a brief overview of the
(04:21):
centers and then we can talkmore about the transportation
needs.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
Yeah, absolutely.
Uh.
Back in late 2022, uh, thefoundation made the announcement
that we were going to uheradicate veteran homelessness
in the united states, and so wehave a two-prong approach where
we do this.
So we have our veteransvillages that we're building
throughout the country.
Um, so these are a mix between,uh, distressed hotels that
(04:44):
we're purchasing and then we'rerenovating into studio style
apartments, and every one ofthese villages are going to have
supportive services on site, soit's not just a roof over their
head for the veterans.
We're also trying to eliminatethe root cause of the
homelessness and we're treatingevery veteran on a unique basis.
We're not doing a cookie cutter, assembly line style of
(05:05):
treatment.
We treat everybody uniquely andwe want to help every single
veteran.
And the other way is becausethese villages are popping up
throughout the country, but weunderstand they're not
everywhere currently, and so wehave a unique network, what we
call our National CaseManagement Network, where, if a
veteran reaches out to us andthey they need assistance, and
say in, in the event that wedon't have a village in that
(05:27):
area, we're still going to finda way to help them.
So we work with a bunch ofother organizations and we
partner together to help aveteran that is awesome.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Um, I currently live in fayetteville, north carolina,
which is a very big militarytown.
I see this problem firsthand.
So it's very, very, verygratifying to see you folks
doing something, especially ayounger person like yourself to
be involved.
That just does my heart verygood.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Well, I have some good news to share for you in
North Carolina.
I can't tell you exactly where,but probably in the next few
months or so you're going to seesomething, You're going to hear
some stuff in North CarolinaAwesome.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
We can't wait.
We can't wait.
It's definitely needed in ourarea Also.
I grew up outside of WashingtonDC so I've been familiar with
homelessness for a long time.
But the fact that people go andserve our country and come back
and, you know, have a littleissue or whatever, and it leads
down those stairs, it's good tohear that someone's there to
(06:27):
think about it and try to helpfix it.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Absolutely.
And one thing that I have togive credit to one of my
colleagues that said one timeand it really just stuck with me
, and it's stuck with me sinceit's the word homeless and
veteran those two words togethershould not belong in the same
sentence.
Amen, and I'm so glad to saythat I, you know, I I get to
work for tunnel to towers, whereyou know we're making the
(06:49):
commitment to get homelessveterans off the street and
really help them.
Um, to date, like I said, we westarted this program in late
2022 and we've already helpedover 10 000 veterans get off the
street that is awesome.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
that is absolutely awesome.
So let's talk a little bitabout the transportation needs.
Yep, as I understand it,originally the thought process
had been 15 passenger vans, butyou folks have backed up from
that under some good advice, Iguess, I believe some good
advice, rather so, right now,the need is for mid-sized vans
(07:27):
that are handicapped orwheelchair handicapped equipped
yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
So for these veterans villages, I would say, um, good
, good, good, baseline, I wouldsay probably around like a 10
passenger passenger van, butdefinitely if, if we have
something with, uh you know,wheelchair accessibility,
because, because what happens is, in these villages we utilize
these vans to actually get ourrecipients to and from their
appointments.
So, yes, we provide supportiveservices on the ground at the
(07:55):
village itself, but we also workclosely with the VA hospitals.
So all the villages arestrategically located near a VA
operation, a VA hospital clinic,et cetera, and so, with that in
particular, we also want to getour veteran recipients, we want
to get them to and from theirappointments, and so these vans
(08:15):
help us tremendously to do that,and a lot of times too, in some
of our villages we do haveindividuals that are currently
in a wheelchair, and so we wantto be able to help them as well.
So that's where the wheelchairaccessibility comes in.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
So all my friends listening, I need you to keep an
eye out in your tow yards anddifferent body shops and
businesses you deal with.
Look, we need to find thesevans, we need to get them to
them.
If you have a van and you can't, if you have a decent van to
(08:55):
donate, I don't care where it isin the country, I'll get it
there.
We've proven with getting thetow truck out of Missouri to
western North Carolina after thefloods.
You folks step up for me bigtime and made the handoff and
heck, we moved that truck allthose miles and I think it was a
day and a half.
So if you've got a decent vanthat you want to donate, first
(09:17):
of all talk to your accountant.
I'm not an accountant but I'msure you can write it all off
and I'll help.
We'll help whatever it takes toget it there.
Write it all off and I'll help.
We'll help whatever it takes toget it there.
And then also, if you have it,maybe it might even be a wrecked
van with the handicapaccessibility.
Don't junk that.
Let's get that stuff off thatvan.
We're going to find a van toput it on.
I'll help make that happen.
(09:38):
Reach out to me personally, butwe need to as a towing industry.
We need to step up.
You know, all of us I don'tcare who you are a couple bad
breaks in life.
We could all end up like this.
So we need to step up and helpwhile we can.
So, with that being said, I'masking everyone reach out to me
(10:01):
personally.
Whatever you've got for vans,reach out to me personally.
Whatever you've got for vansMaybe it's an inoperable I'm
looking for operable,good-conditioned vans.
I'm looking for the handicapaccessibility.
Are there other needs?
What about at the center?
Is there?
Speaker 3 (10:22):
going to need a staff car or something like that.
Yes, there's plenty ofopportunities.
There also are a couple ofunique ways to get involved as
well.
So you know, there's definitelya need for passenger vans at
every village.
We would like to have one atevery village, but then there's
also, you know, there's ways too.
You know one of the things youmentioned before.
You know, if you have a vehiclethat you're thinking about
scrapping or you have a vehiclethat you're no longer using,
(10:44):
maybe you're considering donate.
We do have a program that canaccept vehicle donations and
that can help our cause as well.
But even then, say, if youdon't have a vehicle and you
still want to support Tunnel toTowers, we have a great way to
do it.
There's an $11 a month programthat we do and it's a tremendous
way to get involved.
You know $11 a month.
Why $11 a month?
You know our foundation wasstarted after 9-11 and $11 a
(11:06):
month is, you know, prettynominal costs to a lot of people
.
You know for me personally thatyou know, back in New York,
that's lunch.
So you know, and with somethinglike that, if we, you know, if
we get everybody together todonate $11 a month, we can help
every single one of our nation'sheroes.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
That's awesome.
We're not on the $11 a monthprogram yet, but we're going to
be on it today, thank you, and Ichallenge everyone within the
sound of my voice to get on this$11 a month program.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
What else can we do?
Yeah, there's so many differentother ways to get involved with
the foundation, I mean bothmonetarily.
There's also many differentother ways to get involved with
the foundation, both monetarily.
There's also ways ofvolunteering, even if you want
to orchestrate your ownfundraisers, there's a great
opportunity with that.
Me personally, my role rightnow I'm putting on a lot of
signature experiences, some thatgo along with that.
(12:01):
I'm putting on sporting clayfundraisers, I'm doing fishing
tournaments, I'm doing carrallies, the list goes on, so.
But there's plenty of uniqueways to get involved.
I mean, you know there's I'msure there's probably so many
listeners here that are businessowners.
You know there may be even someway.
You know you want to do acampaign where it's like hey,
you know percentage of proceedsfrom from this, this sale, or or
(12:22):
whatever the idea can be.
That could be something whereyou give back to the foundation
as well.
You can have roundup campaigns.
There's so many unique ways toget involved.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
That's awesome.
If somebody wants to reach outand talk to you directly, how
can they contact you?
Speaker 3 (12:39):
Yeah, so the best way to reach out to the foundation
is to reach out to our callcenter, so you can reach out at
718-987-1931 and speak with arepresentative and tell them
what you're really thinking,what you would like to do, and
we'll get you through to theright person.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Give me that number one more time 718-987-1931.
Is there a website they can getmore information as well Of
course there is.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
We make it pretty simple.
So our website is t2torg, Againthe letter T, the number 2, the
letter Torg.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
So, as an American citizen, I just want to thank
you for helping take care of ourveterans.
We're going to stay committedto this.
Dj has just been wonderfulbringing this up and he's just a
wonderful person.
I can't thank God enough forbringing him into my life.
So I'd like to invite you backon in a short period of time and
(13:34):
we'll talk again and see howwe're doing.
Absolutely, I would love that.
Thank you for taking your timetoday.
Again, folks, let's step up andsupport this thing.
All I've got to say is Godbless.
Speaker 5 (13:49):
For electric and other alternative fuel vehicles.
We have developed an app thatgives you all the manufacturers
411 for when that 911 happens.
Whether you are a fire tow orpolice, we got you covered.
To find the EV Clever app, goto your Apple or Google Play
store for a 30-day free trial.
Speaker 6 (14:07):
We also offer the National Tow Operator
Certification an independentlysourced virtual testing program
covering light duty, heavy duty,electric and alternative fuel
vehicle.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Now here is Towing News Now.
Speaker 6 (14:23):
I'm Wesley Wilburn and this is Towing News.
Now here's a story out ofChicago of the city council
board advancing a new bid toprotect drivers from rogue
towing companies chargingthousands of dollars just to tow
their cars.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
For years, we've been telling you about rogue towing
companies that victimize drivers, towing their cars and then
charging exorbitant fees to getthem back.
Speaker 7 (14:45):
Now some new proposed legislation hopes to protect
the drivers.
Our Sabrina Franza is alwaysinvestigating.
She's here, and how do we thinkthis would work?
It's actually reallyinteresting, joe Murray.
What we're thinking about thisnew ordinance is that it would
put tow truck drivers who areunlicensed, who are taking
advantage of drivers instressful, scary situations, on
notice.
It would give Chicago policeofficers the authority to tow
(15:08):
their tow trucks.
Speaker 8 (15:11):
I finally get my truck back.
Two months later they actuallystole my vehicle.
Speaker 7 (15:16):
Countless stories, $3,600.
The same complaints Drivers getinto an accident and a tow
truck company shows up.
Only some companies areunlicensed broke.
They charge thousands ofdollars for drivers to get their
cars back.
Speaker 9 (15:33):
We're probably dealing with this about five to
six times a week.
Speaker 7 (15:35):
John O'Donnell is the vice president of risk
management at Enterprise, thecar rental company.
His customers and company havebeen victims.
Speaker 9 (15:43):
It becomes a process of trying to get these vehicles
released, and typically theywant cash.
Speaker 7 (15:49):
We've reported on incidents where the company has
asked for almost $60,000 to getsomeone's vehicle back.
The Illinois CommerceCommission, which is the
oversight body providinglicenses to these groups, will
flag and fine them.
Many times the businesses willdisband and rebrand under a new
name to start the practice allover again.
Speaker 9 (16:10):
We need some teeth within the legislation.
Speaker 7 (16:12):
Legislation discussed today in a city council
committee.
The high fence with the barbedwire on it that should be a red
flag.
Speaker 9 (16:20):
It allows for CPD once we've determined who the
bad actors are, cpd to tow thebad tow truck drivers and really
start to crack down on thisindustry.
Speaker 7 (16:30):
The proposed ordinance also allows victims to
sue the rogue actors.
Speaker 9 (16:34):
As we begin to deal with this issue, the bad actors
are going to try to find ways toskirt the system.
Actors.
As we begin to deal with thisissue, the bad actors are going
to try to find ways to skirt thesystem, and so we just got to
continue to have this evolve tomake sure that we can finally
put an end to this.
Speaker 7 (16:45):
This new ordinance passed unanimously in the
committee, which means they'llgo to a full city council vote
next week.
It's expected to pass.
Speaker 6 (16:52):
Here's a story out of California of a towing
operation towing away abandonedcars and boats off the streets
in Fairfield, california, andthe complaints that come their
way part of a recent enforcementoperation.
Speaker 10 (17:05):
They just pulled up with two tow trucks and one
white unmarked car.
One dude got out pointed to thetwo cars and boom, they were
gone.
Fairfield police say trafficofficers are working with code
(17:26):
enforcement units for dedicatedoperations, targeting abandoned
vehicles, boats and trailersparked in the area of streets
with the names of states andpresidents.
During an operation April 1st,officers towed 20 vehicles and
issued 24 parking tickets.
On April 4th, a follow-upoperation resulted in 21 more
(17:47):
towed vehicles and 39 parkingtickets.
Police say this is about morethan just tickets and tows.
They say it's about quotebuilding a stronger, safer
community together.
They already don't have nowhereto go but advocate for the
unhoused.
Larry Lee Jackson Jr says thepolice are taking apart the
(18:07):
community by towing awaypeople's homes.
Speaker 8 (18:10):
To take the cars and where they're living in.
It's making it harder on them.
It's not really making it easy,and so it's just like we have
to combat the more trauma thatthey're living at.
It's making it harder on them.
It's not really making it easy,and so it's just like we have
to combat the more trauma thatthey're already going through
Police say they've received 35more complaints after the two
operations calling abandonedcars eyesores that create
(18:32):
hazards and bring more neglectand illegal dumping to the
neighborhoods, but as a city weshould be more compassionate
towards the people that's coming.
I think they're coming here forrescue.
Speaker 10 (18:40):
They leave parks on a main street.
Brockman says her son stilldoesn't have his cars and says
they shouldn't have been towedin the first place.
They were going down the wholestreet.
It was crazy In Fairfield.
Michelle Bandork.
Speaker 6 (18:55):
We'll keep you updated on this towing operation
.
Here's a story out of LakeAlfred, Florida, about a tale
that's becoming too common Aperson pulling a gun on a tow
truck operator for doing his job.
Speaker 11 (19:11):
Dealing with angry people comes with the territory,
but for one driver in PolkCounty, being chased down and
having a gun pulled on while onthe road is another level
entirely.
Well, it was a horrifyingexperience and it was all caught
on video.
Yeah, fox 13's Carla Byronactually spoke with the business
owner about what could havepossibly led the suspect to do
(19:31):
it.
Speaker 12 (19:32):
Tyler Bolton is the owner of Bolton's Towing Service
in Winter Haven.
On March 29th, shortly before 9pm, one of his drivers was
heading down Highway 92 intoLake Alfred from Auburdale when
this happened.
Speaker 13 (19:45):
When he stopped at the red light in Lake Alfred,
the passenger jumped out of thepassenger window with a gun, ran
up to the truck and beat on thewindow at the driver.
Speaker 12 (19:56):
The driver took off to get away and the suspect
chased after him.
However, once the driver got tothe Auburndale Police
Department, the suspect gave up.
Bolton says the frighteningexperience has left the truck
driver fearful and anxious.
Speaker 13 (20:10):
It's hard for him to go out every day and do what he
does.
Not sure if this person'stargeting him, the truck, the
company, we have no clue.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
Police say it's unclear what exactly set the
suspect off, because it doesn'tappear the tow truck driver
provoked him in any way.
Running up to somebody'svehicle, armed or unarmed, in
today's world you may get a bigsurprise if somebody else may be
armed too, and with thatsituation, whatever the
situation that happened on theroadway, I don't know that it
meets any criteria that we needto get guns out and start
threatening anybody.
Speaker 12 (20:43):
Police say they're still working to identify the
vehicle involved and are workingto get more video surveillance
footage.
If caught, the suspect islikely to face a charge of
felonious aggravated assault atthe very least.
Speaker 13 (20:56):
It's obnoxious and there's zero care for anybody
else's life.
Speaker 12 (20:58):
Bolton says the suspect must be held accountable
.
Speaker 13 (21:02):
To be honest, you know, with a different person in
that truck may have not endedso well for the person that
pulled the gun.
Speaker 6 (21:08):
Motives are unclear at the moment, but we'll keep
you updated on the case.
Here's another story of crimeout of High Point, North
Carolina, near Charlotte, NorthCarolina, of a woman caught
driving a stolen tow truck.
Speaker 11 (21:22):
High Point officers have charged a woman they say
stole a tow truck.
Police arrested Rachel RickettsSaturday on West Green Street.
They say the truck was reportedstolen out of Raleigh last
month.
Ricketts is also facing a listof drug charges, as well as a
felony for trying to eludearrest.
Speaker 6 (21:39):
Lastly, we have some good news out of Cornwell,
Connecticut, of a man learninghis fate for the death of a tow
truck driver.
Speaker 14 (21:48):
And a man has been sentenced following a deadly
crash in 2022.
Luis Resto will spend 15 yearsin prison after a crash that
killed a tow truck driver inNorth Haven.
Prosecutors do say he hit38-year-old Christopher Russell
on I-91.
Russell had just finishedfixing a flat tire on the
shoulder when he was hit.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
There you go, folks, the most recent news on the
brand new Towing News channel.
I'll see you next week withmore information on the latest
news in our industry.
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