For more than 18 years, Master Sgt. Wade Rivest of Westfield has served in the Air National Guard at Barnes ANG base as a F-15 maintainer. A few years ago, Wade had been looking to get into the hauling business and, through his research, he came across JDog Junk Removal. Wade and his wife met the founders, decided to bring this service to Western Mass, and launched JDog Junk Removal in March 2018. He is now living out his dream of owning his own business and serving his local community.
"The company is the largest veteran-owned franchise in the country. In the almost two years since we opened, there are now close to 200 businesses founded," Wade says.
As the trucks were hustling out of the garage for the day's haul (you know the ones—you can't miss those big Camo Bulldog trucks driving around town), Wade spoke strongly about this business, his employees and the work they do for the community.
"At JDog, we do more than junk removal and hauling. We give veterans and their family members jobs. My goal is to keep the community clean and give locals a trustworthy, affordable service," Wade says. "But we also have a bigger goal, and that is to donate usable items to rehoming centers, recycle whenever we can, and stay away from landfills as much as possible. Actually, we have never utilized a traditional landfill.
"People call for all different types of reasons. Maybe it's just one item that's too heavy to move, or it's a hot tub and they have no idea where to start. We also do estate clean-outs that might be hard for a family to handle on their own. Those are the types of jobs that we handle."
When asked if there is one thing of which JDog is proud, without missing a beat, Wade said, "It's our community involvement. People see that our for-profit company supports nonprofit companies. People inherently want to support veterans, which helps not only my employees but also the veterans across the U.S."
In addition to donating items reclaimed from homes to various local and national charities, JDog also donates through various fundraising efforts.
1. Homeward Vets
A local nonprofit organization providing free home furnishings to those veterans in need throughout Massachusetts, helping nearly 650 veterans to date since 2012. They are always looking for volunteers to help at the warehouse by cleaning/sorting, meeting with veterans and their families, and assisting in moving.
2. Project New Hope
Project New Hope’s motto is Where Veterans Rebuild with Honor. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit was founded in 2011 by a disabled veteran and social worker to help veterans cope with such invisible wounds as traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress. Veterans and their families learn with their peers, who struggle with similar issues, more effective ways to cope as they reenter civilian life.
3. Habitat for Humanity: ReStore Westfield
Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center that sells new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Habitat for Humanity ReStore is proudly owned and operated by local Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and proceeds are used to build homes, community, and hope locally and around the world.
4. Vets, INC
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Massachusetts, Vets, Inc. is the largest provider of support services to veterans and their families in New England. Since 1990, they have helped more than 80,000 veterans in need and today operate offices and programs in all six New England states.
5. Goodwill
Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries' mission is to help individuals with barriers to self-sufficiency to achieve independence and dignity through work. Not charity, but a chance. Since its founding in 1895, Goodwill has been dedicated to the social justice mission of serving individuals, families and communities with the greatest needs by helping people go to work to be able to support themselves and their families.
6. Salvation Army
It all began with doughnuts and coffee for soldiers during World War I, and it only grew from there. Today, the Salvation Army offers a range of veteran services, providing comfort, support, counseling and a home to thousands of veterans in need each year. They express gratitude for our country's bravest men and women by offering a hand and their hearts to those struggling to find their way after coming back home.
7. Homes For Warriors
A group of Western MA businesses are committed to giving back to veteran/police/fire charities and helping members of the veteran/police/fire community.
8. Pittsfield Veteran Services
The City of Pittsfield Veterans' Services Department provides a wide range of benefits and services to our veterans and their eligible dependents. In the veterans' time of need, this department can provide benefits to help with ordinary living expenses until other sources of income can be acquired.