Staff Report
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Col. Charlie Jones, Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini and Executive Vice President Brad Patrick examine a new Tempur-Pedic mattress while at the Tempur-Pedic headquarters in Lexington, Ky., Jan. 21st. (photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard).
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky Adjutant General Edward W. Tonini visited the Global Headquarters of Tempur-Pedic to thank the company for its donation to the National Guard Youth Challenge Program in Lexington, Ky, Jan. 24. The 300 donated mattresses from Tempur-Pedic will be used in the Kentucky Youth Challenge academies at Fort Knox and Harlan, along with academies in Indiana and Georgia.
"It's great to have passionate partners like Tempur-Pedic for the National Guard Youth Challenge program," said Tonini. "You can tell by this ceremony and by the people here that you all are sincerely giving people."
The Kentucky National Guard Youth Challenge program is designed to help youth, ages 16-18, get a jump start on life. The 22-week curriculum covers extensive academic studies geared toward completing a high school diploma as well as physical fitness, leadership and community awareness projects.
The program has been around for nearly 20 years and more than 100,000 cadets have graduated from the program nation-wide.
Maj. General Edward Tonini serves as a member of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program General Officer Advisory Council Board, helping to oversee the program.
Tempur-Pedic International Inc., a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of mattresses and pillows worldwide believes everybody deserves a good night's rest, especially youth.
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Brad Patrick, Executive Vice President for Tempur-Pedic, hosted Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini, Adjutant General of Kentucky at a ceremony in Lexington, Ky., Jan. 24 where 300 mattresses were donated to the Youth Challenge Program. (photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard).
"We are pleased to partner with the Kentucky National Guard to offer quality mattresses for the teens participating in the Youth Challenge program," said Brad Patrick, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer.
The director of the Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy in Harlan was extremely pleased at the donation from Tempur-Pedic.
"This donation will be certainly put to good use," said Coldiron. "We work hard to ensure that our cadets have the best care available and that they are prepared to tackle the challenges of the day. Having a safe, comfortable place to sleep is important to their success."