2014 Charity Climb of Mt Kilimanjaro Climb Team!

" The Military Assistance Project (MAP) 2014 Climb Team returned this past week from their trip to Tanzania, Africa where they reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in support veterans & military personnel. MAP is a not-for-profit organization established to provide free legal services for active duty, reserve, or veteran military personnel in the form of pro bono bankruptcy services. The team, comprised of local Philadelphia & Atlantic City based disabled veterans, attorneys, MAP Board Members, and elected officials, raised over $25,000 for the organization and the service members it assists. The Military Assistance Project was founded in 2011 by Albert Ciardi III (MAP Board Chairman), after he took on the bankruptcy case of a veteran returning from Iraq. “It was eye opening to discover just how much these issues plague our nations veterans,” said Ciardi, who saw the climb as an opportunity to raise awareness for MAP’s mission and the growing necessity to make resources available for veterans and military personnel in need of bankruptcy assistance. With offices in Philadelphia and Wilmington Ciardi Ciardi & Astin was a major sponsor of the 2014 Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb as well as a constant contributor of pro bono hours offered to the Military Assistance Project. “Financial stress can have a devastating effect on veterans and their families, especially when transitioning from active duty to the private sector.” said Daniel Astin, MAP Board member and veteran who served onboard USS Constellation (CV64). "Offering our time to help fellow veterans in financial crisis can empower them." Between May of 2012 and today, MAP has assisted over 350 veterans and discharged an average of $81,000 per filed Chapter 7. The Military Assistance Project would like to thank their sponsors and the climbers who made the 2014 Charity Climb such a success. LOCAL SPONSORS: Ciardi Ciardi & Astin, SugarHouse Casino, Raynes McCarty, West Pharmaceuticals, F.X. Ryan & Associations, Soldier Socks, Heckendorn Shiles Architects, and Wheatley SPI CLIMB TEAM Brian Sims (D-182, House of Representatives, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) Albert Ciardi (Founder and Board Chairman, Military Assistance Project) Christopher Diaz (President, Drexel Veterans Association, Pat Tillman Scholar, '13) SSG Michael Kacer (Wounded Afghanistan Veteran) Dianna Schwartz (MAP Executive Director) Peter Antinore, Matthew Heckendorn, Sheila Hughes, Andre McCoy, Christopher Plunkett, Brian Reuter Dan, Tracy, Audrey Tiberio, & Tyler Wagner We were blown away with our experience working with CustomInk. Although already repeat customers, this was literally the best customer service we've ever received. We ordered two types of gear (one pullover and one vest) and CustomInk matched the two orders, refunded the extra art charge, and returned the funds to our card. As a small nonprofit, we are incredibly grateful for your cautious oversight of our funds! We will be back. Thank you! " - http://www.militaryassistanceproject.org - Military Assistance Project (Feb 02, 2015)