Injured soldiers from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan are coming to the SCV to educate our youth and community.

Tempered Steel is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Iraq or Afghanistan veterans who have suffered severe trauma.  They provide peer-to-peer support and assistance to the soldiers, while educating the public by sending severely injured soldiers to speak at schools and community groups to tell the stories behind their scars.

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“It’s good to bring awareness to our young people, especially living in the Santa Clarita Valley.  We are a little bit of a sheltered community…They get exposed to something that maybe they wouldn’t have direct knowledge of,” said Ron Ippolito, a teacher in the Hart School District for 15 years.  His classes have had speakers from Tempered Steel on two occasions.

Ippolito explained that the speakers often tell stories about how they struggled in school, but matured as a result of their experiences at war.  He added, “The kids that connect best I think sometimes are the kids at risk…They have somebody to look up to.”

Eight Tempered Steel wounded warriors from across the country will be at a Tempered Steel fundraiser on November 3 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom.  The luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and tickets are $35 each.  Proceeds will benefit Tempered Steel and the SCV Chamber of Commerce Ian Gelig Memorial Scholarship.

“Sometimes the little day to day problems that we face, it really puts things in perspective.  If this person can come back from being injured by an Improved Explosive Device 10,000 miles away, then all the sudden my daily problems don’t seem quite as serious,” added Ippolito.

To attend the fundraiser, RSVP and mail payment to the address below.  Payments can also be made at the door.

Devon Cormier
Tempered Steel Lunch, Public Relations Coordinator
26523 Carl Boyer Drive
Santa Clarita, CA 91350

The Hyatt Regency is located at 24500 Town Center Drive, Valencia.

On October 19, 350 Junior High students from the SCV will hear Tempered Steel speaker and Purple Heart Recipient, Lyvell Gipson, speak for their annual Youth Summit.  The theme is “Respecting Ourselves Respecting Each Other.”  The goal is to break down the barriers that exist between different parts of our community and to train our future leaders.

On November 3, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., a Tempered Steel Educational Panel of Wounded Warriors will speak at Valencia High School.