Operation Rebound

A Devil With A Halo: The Kyle Palmieri Foundation
By Michael Boll

For the last few years, the Operation Rebound Racing Team has been trying to build strong relationships with our professional teams. Our goal is to have our uniformed challenged athletes speak to professional teams and share their incredible journey on how they overcame countless obstacles to achieve greatness.

It’s somewhat difficult dealing with professional teams because of the constant coaching and staff changes. Also, another huge factor is sometimes the corporate side doesn’t really comprehend the importance of a partnership. Having a challenged athlete speak to a professional team can be one of the most empowering moments in a person’s life.

Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting Ashlee Palmieri, from the Kyle Palmieri Foundation, a charity benefitting veterans. The foundation was started by both New Jersey Devils hockey player Kyle Palmieri and his wife, Ashlee. I told Ashlee about the challenges working with professional teams and how aggravating it was to get a team to allow one of our team members to speak at a practice. Almost immediately, Ashlee teamed up with our charity and began inviting us to some amazing events. It’s refreshing to be able to join forces with another charity that puts our uniformed heroes first.

Kyle Palmieri is from a military family and has always loved and supported our men and women in uniform. So, in 2016, Kyle and Ashlee decided to give back by creating the “Squad 21” project from Kyle’s number on his jersey. The “Squad 21” project provides free tickets to active duty military and veterans at home games. After the game, all the ticketholders are given “Squad 21” T- shirts and invited to the locker room for a private meet and greet with Kyle and Ashlee. During the meet and greet, Kyle has the opportunity to show each guest his deep gratitude and personally thank them for serving our country.

“Squad 21” is just one of many of the amazing projects and charity events Kyle does. The Kyle Palmieri Foundation has grown dramatically in the last few years and is committed to not only helping our uniformed heroes, but other veteran charities and organizations. This charity is currently working with the New Jersey Veterans Network, Service Women’s Action Network, National Military Family Association and Pets for Vets.

Recently, the Kyle Palmieri Foundation invited our team to the North Trust PGA tour, where six team members were able to caddy for some of the professional golfers and spend time with the Palmieri family. A few weeks ago, our team was invited to a “Squad 21” game. At this game, we brought disabled veterans from the Lyons Veterans Home and Operation Valor, a veteran homeless shelter. After the game, every veteran who attended couldn’t have been happier with the “Squad 21” experience. The next day I received numerous phone calls asking me to thank the Palmieri family and the NJ Devils. It’s such an honor to work with this amazing charity, and our team is looking forward to doing some amazing things together.