ShopRite Supermarkets donate $225,000 to benefit veteran groups in the Hudson Valley

Warwick residents contribute more than $10,000 FLORIDA — ShopRite Supermarkets has announced a donation of $225,000 to benefit three non-profit veteran organizations aiding service men and women and their families in the Hudson Valley region - exceeding last year’s donation of $200,000. As part of the second annual fund-raising initiative led by ShopRite Supermarkets and its customers, associates and vendors, the money raised will benefit The Tower of Hope, The Orange County Veterans Food Pantry and The Committee for the Families of Iraq & Afghanistan War Vets - all of whom support the many active and returning service men, women and families throughout the Hudson Valley region. “The Hudson Valley region has the highest percentage of returning war veterans statewide,” said Tom Urtz, vice president of human resources and community affairs for ShopRite. “Therefore we take great pride in supporting these individuals when they return home. ShopRite is very grateful to the community for its overwhelming support.” ShopRite’s Veteran campaign was comprised of several fund-raising efforts including a check-out counter donation drive, golf outing and casino night, car washes, hot dog sales, pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners, raffles and giveaways. In addition, ShopRite vendors contributed by donating a portion of the proceeds from special product promotions to the overall donation. Veteran organizations The Committee for the Families of Iraq & Afghanistan War Vets provides emotional, financial and educational support for Mid-Hudson Valley veterans and families of military personnel killed or wounded while fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. This 57-member volunteer organization helps veterans cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and suicide prevention, offers funding for therapy and rehabilitation and professional consultations to retrain and re-employ veterans back into the work force. To learn more, visit www.famiiesofwarvets.org. The Tower of Hope provides funding to train and care for expertly trained service dogs so seriously wounded veterans can live in greater safety and comfort, and with higher independence. With service dogs costing more than $25,000 per year, The Tower of Hope proudly provides service dogs to veterans at no charge. To learn more, visit www.thetowerofhope.org. The Orange County Veterans Food Pantry provides food and non-perishable items for the growing community of veterans of all ages and branches of service who have served our country. Orange County oversees this pantry and provides a delivery service to the families that have no means of transportation. To learn more, visit www.orangecountygov.com. Top fund raisers The top 10 ShopRite stores that raised the most funds are, in order: 1. Walkill $13,066 2. Chester $12,155 3. Warwick $10,992 4. Fishkil $10,743 5. Monroe $10,287 6. Clark, N.J $9,539 7. Middletown $8,744 8. Ellenville $7,953 9. Scarsdale $7,571 10. Montgomery $7,533 (The Orange County Veterans Food Pantry is located in Montgomery.)