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Alumni Blog - Bernie Punte '64

I am a 1964 graduate of Calvert Hall. After graduation I continued my studies at Baltimore Junior College, both full time and part time, earning an associate degree in General studies with courses in technical subjects. I went to work with AT&T as a technician working on their long-distance network. After some years as a technician, I moved into sales for AT&T in Washington, DC. Eventually I transferred to AT&T’s Western Electric Company’s Government Sales in Greensboro, North Carolina.
I became part of Western Electric’s expanded sales force after the divestiture of the Bell System. I sold a variety of Western Electric’s equipment ranging from hardware for telephone company’s network, fiber optic cable, backbone cellular systems, and electronic network telephone switching systems.
Throughout my career I received extensive training in technical systems and sales including courses at universities. Eventually I retired in 2001 when the communication industry took a downturn. I went to work for several Government contractors with contracts at a top-secret government facility doing project management for telephone systems, data systems, security systems and building renovations.
I heard a donation solicitation on the radio one afternoon for Joni And Friends, Wheels For The World. They collect used wheelchairs, refurbish them in prison workshops, containerize them and ship to places in the world where a wheelchair is not obtainable for most people. Volunteer teams of physical therapist, mechanics and helpers travel to the distribution locations and working with local volunteers distribute and fit the wheelchairs to those receiving them.
Along with wheelchairs Joni And Friends provide an array of services to the handicapped. Joni is Joni Eareckson Tada from Sykesville Maryland. At age 17 she broke her neck in a diving accident and became a quadriplegic. She began a Christian Ministry for the handicapped in her mother’s kitchen in Sykesville. Today, Joni still leads the charity at age 74. The charity is now a multimillion-dollar charity providing services to the handicapped around the world. I have traveled to Central and South America providing wheelchairs to those in need in large cities, small towns, and up in the Andes to the Quechuan people. Along with wheelchairs and services for the handicapped we bring God’s word to the people. The lives of people are improved, hearts are touched and often a personal relationship with the Lord is made!
I continue my work with Joni And Friends Wheels For The World (https://www.joniandfriends.org/) collecting wheelchairs and going on the mission distribution trips. Anyone with a wheelchair, walker, rollator, cane or crutches to donate can contact me or go to the website and find a “chairperson” in their area.
Along with a top-notch education at Calvert Hall, I was impacted by the integrity of the Christian Brothers. I witnessed each student being treated equally and fairly, even when I was not a spectacular outstanding student!
This wheelchair was narrowed, seat shortened, and height lowered.

First steps for this little guy with Cerebral Palsy and uncontrolled spastic movements.

Collection Team in Maryland - Contact Bernie if you have donations.




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