Who We Are
We are a non-partisan, 501C3 not-for-profit organization based in the greater Hudson Valley area of New York.
Why We Exist
The Committee was founded in 2007 to raise funds for returning veterans, current soldiers, as well as the families of soldiers wounded or killed in combat.
What We Do
We strive to provide maximum assistance when urgent expenses arise related to fundamental needs such as housing, transportation, and food.
How We Do It
We prefer to work in conjunction with existing veterans organizations, but can also work directly with individuals whose needs are critical and who meet the basic criteria.
Sometimes all it takes is a helping hand.
Our intention is to be there to provide assistance to veterans as they make the transition to civilian life. We do this by providing a helping hand up, and not a hand out. We believe the sacrifices of our military personnel should never be forgotten and we attribute our success as an organization to the fact that our community shares this belief with us.
The donations we receive play an important role in allowing us to provide our veterans with the help they need.
Many veterans and their families are facing problems on their return home and at later stages in their lives. We try to supplement what the government does for them so they can get back on track, living their lives with financial security and not having to worry about the basic necessities of life.
Find Homes & Jobs
We work with local veteran agencies to find veterans and their families housing and employment.
Financial Assistance
We provide financial assistance for basic necessities of life as well as confidentiality and dignity to all applicants during their time of need.
Provide Direction
We connect veterans and their families with resources for job training, mental health care, and VA benefits.
ARE YOU READY TO APPLY FOR HELP?
Before clicking the application button below, please be sure you have a copy of your DD214 ready to upload. Applications can not be completed without this file.
We’d like you to meet the Members of our Committee.
Dan O’Kane Jr.
President
After graduating college. Dan entered the construction industry in the New York Area and hasn’t left. Dan joined the group simply because of his great love for our country and his deep respect for our military. As President of this organization, Dan hopes to help military personnel and their families in whatever way possible as a group, by relieving financial pressure they may suffer.
Christine Schiff
Vice President
Christine is married to Sheriff Mike Schiff of Sullivan County and is the mother of four children. Christine is one of the original members that helped create the Committee for the Families of War Veterans and play a significant role in getting the organization to where it is today.
Alan R. Jones
Treasurer
Alan was born to a mother and father who were both veterans and served in World War II. In fact, both of his grandfathers served, along with two great uncles that were killed, in World War I. Alan became Treasurer since March 2013, truly enjoys working with others on the Committee and the volunteers who work selflessly to help others, without tangible reward.
Stephen Renna
Administrator
Stephen is a US Marine with two tours of duty in Iraq. He joined the group to help his fellow veterans in a way that would make a different. He is passionate about the issues facing the veteran community.
Christine Little
Board Member
Christine is the proud granddaughter of two WWII veterans, the daughter of a Vietnam War veteran, and sister of a Gulf War veteran. She is also the proud mother of two children and has raised them to love our country, respect our veterans, and never forget the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom and safety. It is her honor to assist veterans in their time of need.
Barbara Allen
Veterans Advocate
Barbara Allen is the surviving spouse of Lt. Louis Allen. She and her four children live in Orange County, NY. Barbara has been a professional veterans advocate and is largely entrenched in a national network of military resources. She is an author, speaker and the co-founder of American Snippets.
Christian Farrell
Board Member
Christian currently serves as the Director of the Orange County Veterans
Service Agency. He spent eight years serving in the United States
Army/Army Reserves from 2001-2009 and is an Iraq War Veteran serving
with the 4 th Infantry Division in Baghdad in 2005-2006.