13 months ago
At just 28-years-old, attorney Joseph Hanna has already had a lot of success. He's won awards; made partner in his law firm; and, more importantly, made a difference.
"Ever since I was a little kid, my mother and father instilled in me to be generous, to help people," Hanna said.
While service has always been important, it was just last year that Hanna began giving to people in the service. By connecting his love for golf to his love of country, he set out on a somewhat small mission to collect golf clubs and balls for troops, thinking they could be used for entertainment overseas. It all began with a handful of phone calls to friends.
"I asked 'Hey do you have some golf balls and golf clubs and we'll send them over there?'" Hanna recalled. "Well, some golf balls and some golf clubs have turned into 55,000 golf balls and 2,500 golf clubs."
With that, Bunkers in Baghdad was formed. The non-profit's storage space grew from the garage of Hanna's uncle to a donated facility on Grand Island. Donation offers poured in from golf courses, associations, distributors, and everyday people across the country.
"We sent golf clubs and golf balls overseas, and we expanded our program to include Wounded Warrior programs throughout the country," Hanna explained.
Eventually, he said he'd like to be able to donate a set of clubs to veterans returning home.
In the meantime, though, Hanna's getting others involved. Students at four Williamsville middle schools, including Transit, Heim, Casey and Mill, are all helping collect golf equipment donations and boxing it for shipment. The students also include personalized notes and cards of thanks.
"I can't personally imagine how it would be to be over there years, or months, or however long, to be away from family and normality," eighth-grader Hannah Duke said. "They just need something that maybe reminds them of their home."
The students said, regardless of how they feel about the war, they care about the troops.
"We can at least spend five minutes a day, come in early one morning, wake up a little extra early for them because they do so much for us," fellow eighth-grader Francesa Carra echoed.
Hanna said Bunkers in Baghdad continues looking for both monetary and equipment donations. Both can be dropped off at Hanna's Buffalo law office located at 665 Main Street, Suite 400, or he can be e-mailed at jhanna@goldbergsegalla.com.
This Friday, the organization will hold its first fundraiser with proceeds going toward the shipment of all donations. The event is a happy hour at Club W, 199 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo. It runs from 5:30 pm to 8 pm. A $20 ticket provides access to an open bar. Various raffle prizes will also be available.
