Employees and management of Brodheadsville’s Weis Markets came together to present the Paralyzed Veterans of America with a $150,000 contribution on Friday morning.

Paralyzed Veterans of America deputy executive director and member Shaun Castle accepted the check on behalf of the organization.

“It’s amazing to see the Weis Markets family — everybody from the corporate side of the house, to the people who work day in and day out in the markets, to the people who shop here — come together to support the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and as a member that benefits daily from the what the PVA does, and from the amazing donations and contributions from the Weis family, it’s very humbling to see,” Castle said.

The funds were collected during the two-week period leading up to Veterans Day, with the Brodheadsville store amassing nearly $1,800, and their district raising about $11,000.

“With what’s going on in the nation, we felt compelled to help support the veterans in any way we can,” Weis Markets vice president of advertising and marketing Ron Bonacci said. “For Paralyzed Veterans of America, we felt like we needed to step up as a community and support the veterans, especially the paralyzed veterans. They’re there every day to support the veterans on a long-term basis.”

Colette Odom, PVA associate director of corporate and venture philanthropy, said that PVA and Weis came together because of a shared appreciation for the sacrifices made by veterans, and a desire to help them in their lives after service.

“We have worked with Ron before. When he came to Weis, he said ‘I want to be able to give back to veterans.’ He understands our mission, giving back to veterans.

“The Mission Able campaign is our consumer-facing platform that helps to bring care, jobs and benefits to our veterans,” Odom said.

Weis front end manager Mandi DeVatt was proud of her cashiering crew and their efforts to raise funds for the benefit of veterans, which consisted of asking for small donations from each and every customer to pass through the lines.

“I’m very happy that we were able to help and raise as much money as we did for this campaign. They definitely deserve it, they’ve done so much for our country, and to be able to give back to them, it’s great,” she said.

Paralyzed Veterans of America helps veterans navigate the complex maze of benefits following their discharge, in addition to assisting with research and education relating to spinal cord injuries and civil rights and opportunities for members. While membership requires that the person in question is a paralyzed veteran, Castle said that they are more than willing to reach out and help any and all veterans.

Castle, originally an Army military police officer, suffered an accident that caused significant damage to his spine after five years of service.

Following two spinal cord surgeries, he awoke in his hospital bed to find PVA’s senior national service officer Anthony Steele by his side.

“He said, ‘Shaun, I’m from the Paralyzed Veterans of America, I’m here to help, you don’t have anything to worry about anymore.’ From that day, I have been able to change my life, where I have been a collegiate wheelchair basketball player at the University of Alabama, I’ve played professionally in the south of France, I’ve been able to get my bachelor’s degree in communications and organizational leadership, and I’m currently working on my master’s degree,” Castle said.

Steele and Paralyzed Veterans of America helped Castle obtain all the benefits he was due within six months.

Had he been pursuing that venture on his own, he said, it could have taken years. Respecting and believing in the mission of the group, Castle turned down a professional career in wheelchair basketball in order to help other veterans with their lives after the military.

“They changed my life. They saved my life. I didn’t have to fight for my benefits like a lot of people do. I never had to worry about it. I was able to refocus on life, and what meant so much to me, which is my family and friends,” he said.