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    • Home
    • About Us
    • About Our Founder
    • Our Inspiration
    • Support / Donations
    • Go Fund Me
    • Volunteer Of The Year
    • Our Goal
    • "22 A DAY"
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Sponsors
    • Events
    • Photo Gallery
    • Recognitions
    • In The News
    • Contact Us
    • Veterans Crisis Hotline

  • Home
  • About Us
  • About Our Founder
  • Our Inspiration
  • Support / Donations
  • Go Fund Me
  • Volunteer Of The Year
  • Our Goal
  • "22 A DAY"
  • Board of Directors
  • Our Sponsors
  • Events
  • Photo Gallery
  • Recognitions
  • In The News
  • Contact Us
  • Veterans Crisis Hotline

Events

When we’re united as a community, the positivity is amazing, and the possibilities are endless! 

Let’s End Veterans Homelessness Now

Won't you please help end veterans homelessness

9th Annual "THEY KEPT US SAFE, LET'S KEEP THEM WARM"

CHRISTMAS COLLECTION - In Memory of Sgt. John E. McDonough

 

PDF Viewer

click here for a pdf of the poster below

 Bravo to Investors Bank and Peapack-Gladstone Bank for always going above and beyond to help the community! 


 *Both of these banks are also drop off locations for our annual,  “They Kept Us Safe, Let’s Keep Them Warm,” new winter clothing collection benefiting the homeless veterans residing at the Hope for Veterans transitional housing facility.   


9th Annual new winter clothing DRIVE Photos

November 23, 2020. It’s Santa’s 2020 Sleigh!

November 23, 2020. It’s Santa’s 2020 Sleigh!

November 23, 2020. It’s Santa’s 2020 Sleigh!

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Stacia McDonough, hand-delivered brand new winter clothing for her 9th Annual, “They Kept Us Safe, Let’s Keep Them Warm,”  winter clothing Christmas Drive benefiting the homeless veterans residing at the Lyons, N.J. shelter. 

She founded this Christmas collection 9 years ago in honor of her late husband, Vietnam veteran, Sergeant John E. McD

Heartfelt thanks to Robin Ray!

November 23, 2020. It’s Santa’s 2020 Sleigh!

November 23, 2020. It’s Santa’s 2020 Sleigh!

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 Bedminster, N.J.  Municipal participates as a 2020 drop off location for our 9th annual Veteran’s Christmas Drive. Bedminster Township is The BEST!


Heartfelt thanks to Robin Ray!

November 23, 2020. It’s Santa’s 2020 Sleigh!

Heartfelt thanks to Robin Ray!

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  Bedminster, N.J.  Municipal participates as a 2020 drop off location for our 9th annual Veteran’s Christmas Drive. Bedminster Township is The BEST! 

Heartfelt thanks to Robin Ray!

Heartfelt thanks to Robin Ray!

Heartfelt thanks to Robin Ray!

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 Bedminster, N.J.  Municipal participates as a 2020 drop off location for our 9th annual Veteran’s Christmas Drive. Bedminster Township is The BEST! 

December 12, 2020

Heartfelt thanks to Robin Ray!

December 12, 2020

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 Vietnam veteran, Joseph Doll, U.S. Army, graciously volunteering his time to pick up, and hand-deliver brand new winter clothing to the formerly homeless veterans in Lyons, N.J.

December 12, 2020

Heartfelt thanks to Robin Ray!

December 12, 2020

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 The Watchung Hills Elks, Lodge #885 jumping on board yet again with our 9th Annual Veteran’s Christmas Drive.

December 12, 2020

December 21, 2020 - First Day Of Winter

December 12, 2020

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 The world’s finest, most tireless volunteers:
Nancy Stober-McCarthy and Harriette Doll hand-delivering cozy winter clothing, necessities, and toiletries to our heroes in need.
God bless our veterans!

December 19, 2020

December 21, 2020 - First Day Of Winter

December 12, 2020

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Fran Bellew, member of the Watchung Hills Elks, Lodge #885, Warren, N.J., donating bags of brand new, warm and cozy, insulated flannel shirts for our homeless veterans at the Lyons, N.J. housing shelter.

December 21, 2020 - First Day Of Winter

December 21, 2020 - First Day Of Winter

December 21, 2020 - First Day Of Winter

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Brand new winter clothing, toiletries, necessities, and gift cards delivered with love to the veteran’s housing shelter, Lyons, N.J.
Navy veteran, Mr. Robert Raniero, and one of the world’s best volunteers,  Mrs. Harriette Doll.

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020

December 21, 2020 - First Day Of Winter

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Happy New Year’s to our phenomenal veterans! Hand delivered new winter coats, toiletries, and grocery store gift cards.

Pictured: Mr. Robert Raniero, U.S. Navy veteran, and Mr. Louis Manzo.

Here’s to a spectacular 2021!

January 05, 2021

December 31, 2020

January 05, 2021

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 Donations are still pouring in! First delivery of 2021. Huge thanks to Robbiani’s Clocks & Dolls, Marlboro, N.J. 

January 08, 2021

December 31, 2020

January 05, 2021

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 All new winter clothing, wallets, bedding, and toiletries delivered with love to the veteran’s shelter, Lyons, N.J. 

January 21, 2021

February 14, 2021

February 14, 2021

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 Hand delivered this morning by Stacia McDonough.
Christmas donations still pouring in!
Thanks to the generosity of the extremely generous folks of Bedminster Township.

February 14, 2021

February 14, 2021

February 14, 2021

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 Just in time for Valentine’s Day! 

An exceptionally generous donation of fluffy pillows courtesy of My Pillow.

All to be hand delivered to the homeless veterans this week.

February 17, 2021

February 14, 2021

February 17, 2021

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Delivery to the Hope for Veterans housing facility, Lyons, N.J.


The coziest, highest quality, fluffiest pillows generously donated by the ever-patriotic My Pillow. 


God bless Mr. Lindell and his wonderful staff! The veterans were beyond appreciative. I’m sure they are going to sleep much better now 


ALL thanks to My Pillow. 


February 17, 2021

February 17, 2021

February 17, 2021

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 L to R: Mrs. Stacia McDonough and Mr. Louis Manzo.  


Delivery to the Hope for Veterans housing facility, Lyons, N.J.


The coziest, highest quality, fluffiest pillows generously donated by the ever-patriotic My Pillow. 


God bless Mr. Lindell and his wonderful staff! The veterans were beyond appreciative. I’m sure they are going to sleep much better now 


ALL thanks to My Pillow. 


February 25, 2021

February 17, 2021

February 25, 2021

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 Wonderful $500. donation from Valairco Heating & Cooling, Manville, N.J.

L to R: Richard Valenti (Valairco Founder), Kevin McHugh (Valairco President), Stacia McDonough, Louis Manzo, Harriette Doll and Joseph Doll (Vietnam veteran, U.S. Army).

Our First Annual Food Drive

 Due to the pandemic, our 501(c)-3 nonprofit, is currently halted from hosting any proper fundraisers. To continue to be productive with our time, and further our mission, the world’s best volunteers and I have decided to launch a food drive to help stock the food pantry’s shelves benefiting  the homeless veterans at the Community Hope/Hope for Veterans’ transitional housing facility in Lyons, N.J. All collected items are being hand delivered. 

 I am thrilled to report that even during these challenging times, our wonderful community is, as always, going the extra mile. They’re absolutely AMAZING! 


Investors Bank

315 Hwy. 202/206

Pluckemin, NJ 07978


is a drop off location as is 


Peapack-Gladstone Bank

 17 E. Main Street

Mendham, NJ 07945


Both of these extraordinary ladies who manage these banks: Antonella Celli (Investors Bank) and Catherine Bubet (Peapack-Gladstone Bank) serve on our nonprofit’s Board of Directors. They’re definitely going above and beyond to help our heroes in need!


In addition:

The Watchung Hills Elks, 

The Somerville Elks

The Somerville DAV

and Doogan Vending Service 

have all jumped on board.


Our Autumn 2020 Food Drive runs through October 15th. (So I can catch my breath before our 9th annual, “They Kept Us Safe, Let’s Keep Them Warm,” Christmas winter clothing collection which kicks off before Veteran’s Day.) 

We’ll keep you updated.

AUTUMN 2020 FOOD DRIVe

 All items collected will be hand-delivered to benefit our homeless veterans at the Hope For Veterans transitional housing facility in Lyons, N.J. 


Thank you for your consideration. God bless America and our brave veterans.  


'Kindly call 908.470.1930 for a pick up, 


THE HOPE FOR VETERANS, LYONS, N.J. HOMELESS SHELTER IS IN NEED OF THESE ITEMS: 


  • Canned meats (stew, corned beef hash, spam, chicken, turkey)

• Parmalat milk, boxed almond or soy milk

• Cereal (Hot and cold)

• Pancake mix and syrup 

• Canned fruit

• Canned vegetables, Baked beans

• Pasta, spaghetti sauce, Alfredo sauce

• Canned tomatoes 

• Chef Boyardee canned pastas

• Macaroni and cheese boxes

• Rice, Ramen noodles 

• Instant mashed potatoes 

• Canned tuna, mayonnaise 

• Canned soups and gravy

• Peanut butter, jelly 

• Instant coffee (Regular and Decaf), Tea bags, Hot chocolate, Powdered  Creamer 

• Snacks: Granola bars, protein bars, nuts, pretzels, microwave popcorn, rice cakes, Triscuits

• Pudding cups, Jello cups, fruit cups, apple sauce, raisins, dried fruit


They’re also in need of:

• Hand soap 

• Hand wipes

• Laundry detergent 

• Paper towels

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AUTUMN 2020 FOOD DRIVE photos

Photo 1

Photo 1

Photo 1

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 Annamarie Ferrentino, Antonella Celli (VP and Manager) and   Stephen  Bohmert, VP Retail District Manager of Investors Bank,  Pluckemin, N.J. 

Photo 2

Photo 1

Photo 1

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Annamarie Ferrentino and Stephen Flaherty of Investors Bank, Pluckemin, N.J.

Photo 3

Photo 1

September 2020

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Monica Harned, Catherine Bubet (Manager and Retail Private  Banker) and Jeffrey Deltort

September 2020

September 25, 2020.

September 2020

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Matt  Vanderhoff, Director of Operations, dropping off food donated  generously by Mike Fierro, owner of J.P. Vending, Morris Plains, N.J.   Mr. Fierro served in the Marine Corps.

September 18, 2020

September 25, 2020.

September 25, 2020.

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Just in time for National POW MIA Day

L to R: Cynthia Stokes, and Independence for Veterans Board Member, Louis Manzo.


Hand delivered (food donations) with Love to the Hope For Veterans shelter, Lyons, N.J.


September 25, 2020.

September 25, 2020.

September 25, 2020.

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 Pictured here: Tireless IFV volunteer and Elks member, Nancy Stober-McCarthy 


 Food donations hand delivered to the Hope for Veterans transitional housing facility Some of the food donations courtesy of the Somerville Elks Lodge 1068.  


September 25, 2020.

September 25, 2020.

September 25, 2020.

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 Pictured here: Tireless IFV volunteer and Elks member, Nancy Stober-McCarthy and Robert Raniero, Navy veteran.  


 Food donations hand delivered to the Hope for Veterans transitional housing facility Some of the food donations courtesy of the Somerville Elks Lodge 1068.  


October 05, 2020.

September 25, 2020.

September 25, 2020.

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 Pictured here: Mr. Robert Raniero, U.S. Navy veteran and Louis Manzo, Treasurer, Independence for Veterans.


Hand delivered food donations to the Hope for Veterans transitional housing facility, Lyons, N.J. Approximately 95 formerly homeless veterans reside at this shelter.

 

October 05, 2020.

September 25, 2020.

October 05, 2020.

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  Pictured here:  Watchung Hills Elks Member Fran Bellew and Louis Manzo, Treasurer, Independence for Veterans 


 A bounty of food donations courtesy of the Watchung Hills Elks! Watchung Hills Elks Member, 

October 07, 2020.

October 07, 2020.

October 05, 2020.

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 Pictured L to R: Elks member, Mrs. Kathy Malinconico, Independence for Veterans Treasurer, Mr. Louis Manzo and Elks Member, Mr. Sal Malinconico. 


 A magnanimous donation of assorted food items courtesy of the New Brunswick Elks Lodge 324. Delivered with TLC by the lovely Malinconico family. 

October 09, 2020.

October 07, 2020.

October 09, 2020.

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Another truckload of groceries delivered to our homeless veterans.

October 18, 2020

October 18, 2020

October 18, 2020

October 18, 2020.

  Kudos to the East Brunswick Elks Lodge #2370 ! Their enthusiastic Veterans Committee went above and beyond to deliver an abundance of groceries for our tremendously successful Autumn 2020 Food Drive. 

October 18, 2020

October 18, 2020

October 18, 2020

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 Pictured L to R: Andrea Evans, Colleen Murphy, Stacia McDonough (IFV President), and Beverly Christensen.

October 19, 2020

October 18, 2020

October 19, 2020

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Another Food Delivery

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  Independence For Veterans is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law.

Copyright © 2021 Independence For Veterans, Inc. - All Rights Reserved.