MADISON, Wis. — A retired Air Force veteran has made it his mission to give back to his community in southern Wisconsin.

Ted Bendler, a longtime employee turned volunteer with the Salvation Army of Dane County, has dedicated his time to helping others. It’s a commitment he said is deeply rooted in his family’s history.  

After retiring from the Air Force, Bendler got a job at the Salvation Army on Darbo Drive in Madison. He has been a jack-of-all-trades, helping clean, maintain spaces, and assist with information technology for the organization.

What You Need To Know

  • Ted Bendler recently discovered records from the National Holocaust Museum detailing his grandparents' deportation to Auschwitz, shedding light on his family's harrowing past

  • Inspired by his father’s escape from Auschwitz and the values instilled by his parents, Bendler dedicates his retirement to serving others through the Salvation Army in Madison

  • Bendler actively volunteers with the Salvation Army’s Emergency Services Canteen, ensuring first responders are cared for while they help others

  • The Salvation Army helps address homelessness and disaster relief

He said his motivation stems from a sense of duty and gratitude.  

“I feel a need to give back. I’ve been blessed. I can share that,” Bendler said.  

Recently, Bendler uncovered haunting details about his family’s past. Through records obtained from the National Holocaust Museum, he learned that his grandparents were sent to Auschwitz, a Nazi concentration camp, during World War II.  

“They were not killed. They were exterminated,” he said. “There’s no other way to put it. It wasn’t just a killing. It was awful.”  

Despite the tragedy, Bendler’s father managed to escape Auschwitz, though he was later captured in southern Poland and forced to work for the Nazi regime. After the war, Bendler’s parents lived in a displaced persons camp before emigrating to the Milwaukee area, where they taught their son the value of hard work and generosity.  

“I was brought up to give back,” Bendler said. “My dad didn’t have a lot, but he always helped everybody.”  

Today, even in retirement, Bendler continues to embody those values as a volunteer with the Salvation Army’s Emergency Services Canteen, supporting first responders while they care for others.  

Steve Heck, the Salvation Army of Dane County’s executive director of philanthropy, described Bendler as a selfless and dedicated volunteer.  

“A big thing for him is trying to make it better for somebody who’s already struggling,” Heck said. “If it’s a little uncomfortable or a dirty job for him, it’s much better than the situation somebody else is in. And I think that’s what gets him through the day as well.”  

Bendler said his work with the Salvation Army allows him to maximize the impact of his efforts.  

“There’s very little waste with money that goes to the Salvation Army,” he said. “It’s put towards the homeless shelters, the emergency disaster services.”  

Whether it’s cleaning dusty corners or serving meals to first responders, Bendler said he approaches each task with a sense of purpose and pride.  

“He just jumps right in and gets right to it,” Heck said of Bendler.  

Through his acts of kindness, Bendler is not only making a difference in his community but also honoring his family’s legacy of resilience and compassion.  

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