ShopRite raises $300,000 to benefit veterans

FLORIDA — ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc. , which operates 32 ShopRite stores in New York and New Jersey, will make a donation of $300,000 from its annual veterans fund-raising campaign to benefit five non-profit organizations aiding service men and women and their families throughout New York State.

This initiative, now in its third year, was led by ShopRite Supermarkets, its customers, store associates and vendors, whose efforts exceeded last year’s donation by more than $70,000.

The funds will benefit The Tower of Hope, Hudson Valley Honor Flight, The Schenectady Military Affairs Council, The Orange County Veterans Food Pantry and The Committee for the Families of Iraq & Afghanistan War Vets – all of whom support the many needs of veterans and their families statewide.

ShopRite’s veterans initiative is comprised of various fund-raising efforts, from check-out counter donations to highly successful activities led by teams of store associates including car washes, hot dog sales, pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners, raffles and giveaways.

“Each year we are taken aback by the lengths our generous customers, associates and vendors go in order to support these groups and the brave men and women they assist,” Tom Urtz, vice president of human resources and community affairs for ShopRite Supermarkets, said in the company’s press release announcing the effort. “We are proud to be a part of such a dedicated and strong veteran community.”

The organizations

The Tower of Hope provides funding to prepare 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. The 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.

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.familiesofwarvets.org.

Hudson Valley Honor Flight, a local chapter of the National Honor Flight Network, serves veterans in Orange, Ulster, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Dutchess counties with the goal of providing two flights a year departing from Stewart Airport to their memorial. This one-day trip involves a unique itinerary designed to give veterans from the Hudson Valley the complete honor flight experience that they so rightly deserve in recognition of their sacrifices and what their service meant to this country.

The Schenectady Military Affairs Council values the importance of Stratton Air National Guard Base and other military installations to the overall well-being of the Capital Region’s economy and quality of life.