VAILS GATE – On Tuesday, June 29, ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc. (SRS) presented a $10,000 check to the National Purple Heart Honor Mission at the ShopRite of Vails Gate. The funds were raised throughout ShopRite’s annual Veterans Fundraising Campaign during the 2020 campaign year, where 35 ShopRite stores throughout New York and New Jersey collected donations at checkout and held community events to raise the funds.
“Supporting our local veterans has always been an important cause to our ShopRite team and we are proud to present this donation to the Purple Heart Honor Mission,” said Steve Savas, president and chief operating officer, ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc. “We would like to extend a sincere thank you to our generous customers and associates who help us to continue making a difference in veterans’ lives and honor their sacrifices.”
The donation will help support the National Purple Heart Honor Mission as it raises awareness about the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, which recognizes s men and women from across our nation’s history who have served our great nation and been wounded- or killed-in-action. Since its founding in 1997 as the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Inc., the National Purple Heart Honor Mission has been dedicated to paying tribute to our nation’s combat wounded through special outreach and educational programs. The organization was the driving force behind the establishment and later the expansion of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor located just north of West Point, NY, and today the organization brings Purple Heart heroes from around the country to the Hudson Valley to visit the Hall and learn more about the region’s impact on the hallowed decoration.
“ShopRite’s generosity ensures that we can continue to bring these American heroes together in the Hudson Valley and pay tribute to their courage and sacrifice at no cost to the honorees,” said Col. Russell O. Vernon, Executive Director, National Purple Heart Honor Mission. “ShopRite’s donation also allows us to make veterans and people all across the country aware of the role the Hudson Valley has played and continues to play in the history of our nation.”
In 2020, ShopRite raised $480,000 to benefit local veterans’ organizations. More than $6 million has been raised since the campaign’s 2009 inception. Throughout their three-year partnership, ShopRite has donated more than $60,000 to the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
About SRS, Inc.
ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc. owns and operates 35 ShopRite stores in New York and New Jersey. ShopRite Supermarkets is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wakefern Food Corp., the largest supermarket cooperative in the United States with more than 276 ShopRite supermarkets located throughout six states. ShopRite Supermarkets builds and maintains shopper loyalty by connecting with customers through outstanding customer service, supporting the core needs within the communities we serve and by executing merchandising and operational standards. ShopRite Supermarkets partners with local communities to support many organizations, including veteran, children and faith-based groups.
About The National Purple Heart Honor Mission
The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which supports a variety of programs to promote the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, pay tribute to our Purple Heart recipients, and educate all Americans about our combat-wounded veterans to ensure those who sacrificed for freedom are never forgotten.