Today we’d like to introduce you to Mélida and Carlos Arredondo.
In 2004, Lcpl. Alexander S. Arredondo was killed in the war in Iraq at the age of 20. Carlos Arredondo is Alex’s Dad, and Mélida is his stepmother. The entire family was devastated by the loss but none more so than Brian, Alex’s younger brother. Despite being supportive of Brian as he actively grieved and was also continuing to grow up., Brian took his life in 2011. The stigma associated with suicide and the fact that Brian’s death was very much related to Alex’s death hurt each family member deeply. In 2013, just 16 months after Brian’s death, both Carlos and Mélida attended the Boston Marathon to support the Tough Ruckers who were active duty and reservists in the National Guard as they crossed the finish line. Each Rucker had the names of the fallen listed on the back packs there were rucking. At 2:49 pm 4/15/13, Carlos and Mélida stood across the street from where the first bomb went off. Twelve seconds later the second bomb sounded 210 yards to the west. Carlos jumped over fences to help aid those who had been in the first site where the first bomb detonated. Specifically, Carlos has been recognized for aiding Jeff Bauman who lost both legs that day. In 2015, Carlos and Mélida decided to start a non-profit to aid military and veteran’s families who had lost a loved one due to military related suicide. The name of the organization is the Arredondo Family Foundation.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Both Carlos and Mélida continue to grieve over Alex and Brian’s deaths. The family went from four to two. Having dogs to provide emotional support has helped a great deal. Both Carlos and Mélida have both experienced hearing loss and post-traumatic stress disorder after the bombing. Add that to medical issues that both have been experiencing that have required surgeries and many MD visits have led to challenging times.
Please tell us about Arredondo Family Foundation Inc.
The name of the organization is the Arredondo Family Foundation. Through this foundation we have aided first responder, veterans and families in learning the signs of suicide in order to prevent deaths, provided emergency funds to families who have experienced a military suicide with primarily funeral costs, provided dozens scholarships to military siblings for college education and provided Thanksgiving meals for 1000s of low income veterans and military families throughout Massachusetts since 2015.
Being able to provide emergency funds when a military family experiences a military related suicide has helped immensely. In addition, the suicide training prevention training has been very popular since beginning actively in 2017. Close to five hundred participants throughout the state have taken the training.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
It would have been better to have had some expertise on the recruitment of active board members initially who are needed to provide time and hands on skills as needed especially on fundraising.
Pricing:
- Turkey Giveaway to In-need Veterans and Military Families – No Cost
- Suicide Prevention Training (Question, Persuade, Refer) – No Cost (donations appreciated)
Contact Info:
- Address: Arredondo Family Foundation, Inc.
25 Beach Street, 3R
Dorchester, MA 02122 - Website: www.arredondofoundation.org
- Phone: 617-979-6275
- Email: melida@arredondofoundation.org
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/arredondofamilyfoundation
- Twitter: @affdtn
Image Credit:
Arredondo Family Foundation, Inc.
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