COMMITTEE FOR THE
FAMILIES OF WAR VETERANS
Honoring Sacrifice, Restoring Hope
We exist to empower military families with unwavering support and assistance, honoring their sacrifices with dedicated commitment.
Powerfully funded through the graciousness of ShopRite, the Committee steps in to assist local Hudson Valley military families in times of financial distress. The Committee can assist locally approved applicants by directly paying utility bills, vehicle repairs, child care, or other expenses that will alleviate immediate stress during difficult times.
Please note we are not a national organization, and are not equipped to handle requests outside of the NY, NJ, PA areas, with priority reserved for Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, Dutchess and Rockland counties in NY.
2025 INITIATIVES
Below is a list of upcoming initiatives aimed at enriching lives and meeting essential needs, including childcare services, healthcare programs, home repairs, and college scholarships. Additionally, the Committee provides scholarships for members of the military community to participate in therapeutic horseback riding, offering a unique opportunity for healing and connection.
Childcare
We are offering up to $3,000 to help cover childcare expenses for Hudson Valley military families, paid directly to licensed providers.
The Committee for Families of War Veterans is offering help in covering the crucial expense of childcare for Hudson Valley military families. Receive up to $3,000 of childcare payment, payable directly to your licensed childcare provider.
You do not need to be in an emergency situation to receive this support. Our Committee understands these are challenging times and is here to help our military families meet everyday challenges.
To request this assistance, fill out an application here, and write CHILDCARE under explanation of needs. Please note, at this time we can only offer assistance for licensed childcare providers.
Home Health Care
We are offering up to $3,000 to assist with home health care costs for Hudson Valley military families, paid directly to licensed providers.
The Committee for Families of War Veterans is offering help in covering the crucial expense of Home Health Care Assistance for Hudson Valley military families. Receive up to $3,000 of home health care payment, payable directly to your licensed Home Health Care provider.
You do not need to be in an emergency situation to receive this support. Our Committee understands these are challenging times and is here to help our military families meet everyday challenges.
To request this assistance, fill out an application here, and write HOME HEALTH CARE under explanation of needs. Please note, at this time we can only offer assistance for licensed health care providers.
Emergency Home Repairs
We are offering up to $5,000 to cover emergency home repair costs for Hudson Valley military families, paid directly to licensed contractors or repair professionals.
The Committee for Families of War Veterans is offering help in covering the crucial expense of emergency home repairs for Hudson Valley military families. Receive up to $5,000 of emergency home repair assistance payment, payable directly to your professional contractor or other licensed home repair professional.
Our Committee understands these are challenging times and is here to help our military families meet the moment when sudden damage to your home results in stressful expenses..
To request this assistance, fill out an application here, and write EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR under explanation of needs, with a brief description of the emergency and projected expense to repair or replace the damaged areas of your home.
College Scholarships
We are offering $1,500 Honor Salute Scholarships to graduating seniors in Hudson Valley counties who are military dependents, have enlisted, or are entering military academies.
The Honor Salute Scholarship is to be awarded to graduating Hudson Valley seniors who are dependents of military service members, have officially enlisted in the military, or who have been accepted to any of our esteemed military academies.
The Committee will select one eligible graduating senior from each of the following counties: Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, Dutchess, and Rockland to receive a $1500.00 scholarship, to be applied to continuing education of the student’s choice (including internships and trade schools) or awarded directly to the student who is entering the military.
Delve into the heart of our story and explore the purpose that drives us.
MEET THE
COMMITTEE
Barb Allen is an award-winning author, professional ghostwriter, and freelance writer with a remarkable story of resilience and purpose. As the surviving spouse of Chester NY native Lt. Louis Allen, Barb turned her personal tragedy into a mission to help others find healing and hope. An Orange County native and proud mother of four, Barb holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from American Military University.
She previously worked as a Veterans Services Officer in Orange County, NY, before embarking on her writing career.
Chrissy also worked for Congressman Chris Gibson, prioritizing veteran advocacy.
Chrissy is now a proud business owner in Sullivan County, where she has deep ties, and she remains a powerful force in the world of Veteran Advocacy.
Christine is also on the board of the Sugar Loaf Community Foundation and has been a residential real estate agent serving the Hudson Valley and North Jersey since 2009.
ARE YOU READY TO APPLY FOR HELP?
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A DONOR?
At our core, we understand that a simple act of support can make a world of difference. Our mission is to support and empower the active duty and veteran military families of our communities as they navigate the challenges of service and civilian life. We firmly believe in providing assistance that empowers individuals rather than fostering dependency. The unwavering belief in honoring the sacrifices of our military personnel resonates strongly within our community, contributing significantly to our organization’s success. Generous donations from our community enable us to deliver the necessary aid and support our veterans require on their journey to stability and well-being.
To say I was experiencing the most excruciating pain, fear, anger, and hopelessness that I had ever known would be an understatement. How, I wondered, would anything good or beautiful ever be possible again? How was I going to make it through the rest of my life, and what good would ever come of this hell I was in?
That same morning, somewhere in Sullivan county, a man named Ray Mcarthy picked up his copy of that same newspaper, and saw the same picture.
How, he thought, can I help families like these?
How can I help honor the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve, and the families who love them?
That is the day the vision for this Committee was born.
As I moved through my day praying for an end to my pain, Ray McCarthy moved through his day formulating a plan.
Before long, a Board was formed and a nonprofit was built.
The Committee for Families of War Veterans has since quietly come to the aid of thousands of military families in the Hudson Valley. At one point, I was a beneficiary of this help. The assistance I received allowed me to meet emergency financial needs while rebuilding my life and beginning a new career.
Thanks to support like that I was able to move forward. I then became a member of this Board, and today I am the president.
It is my honor and pride to serve in this full-circle position. It is my pleasure to meet our community’s military families, and play a small role in giving back to those who give so much.