Wakefield resident Don Valerio knows firsthand that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. As a franchise partner of North America’s largest junk-removal service, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, Valerio’s livelihood is based on the trash of others.

While Valerio says his company donates to many local charities, he was recently able to assist the humanitarian mission of fellow Wakefield resident Paula Moran.

Moran is an American Airlines gate agent who also volunteers as the regional coordinator for the nonprofit organization Airline Ambassadors International. The organization’s mission is to provide aid to children and families in need as well as international relief and development to underprivileged communities throughout the world.

"I have been coordinating trips to Bolivia every six months for the past three years," said Moran. "I have been an Airline Ambassador since 1999. I have been a participant on many missions including trips to El Salvador and Guatemala. But, overall, I have been visiting Bolivia for over six years.

"Bolivia doesn’t seem to get as much aid as the other countries do because it’s a little bit more difficult to get to," he said. "It’s hard to work in Bolivia because of the high altitude. I have set up some good connections there and have identified some areas where we can really make a difference."

Airline Ambassadors was created by airline employees who use their travel benefits to visit various impoverished countries.

It was Moran’s husband, Stephen Richardson, who first approached one of the 1-800-GOT-JUNK? truck drivers for potential donations. Eventually, the request made it to Valerio and he was able to contribute a handful of wheelchairs. Originally, however, Valerio was unsure if his company would be able to donate to Moran’s cause.

"Wheelchairs are something that we don’t commonly come across," said Valerio. "And then a few weeks after learning about Paula’s need for them, we stumbled upon some and were able to donate."

-800-GOT-JUNK? is a professional waste removal company that collects items that may be considered difficult to discard. The company acquires the waste for proper disposal and recycling.

By Chris Carpenter
http://www2.townonline.com/wakefield/localRegi ...