POUGHKEEPSIE – The Mental Health Association Dutchess Vet2Vet program held their annual Christmas party on Sunday night at Mahoney’s Steakhouse and received some significant gifts for their programming.
Marist professor and VFW Post 170 Commander Tommy Zurhellen spent a large portion of time in 2019 walking across America to raise awareness for veteran homelessness and veteran suicide.
His journey raised more than $50,000 to help programs that deal with those issues.
At the Christmas party, Zurhellen presented Vet2Vet Program Director Adam Roche with a check for $20,000 to help the mission. In presenting the check, Zurhellen told the crowd, “$20,000 seems like a lot of money to you and me, and it is, but we need to do more. Veteran homelessness, veteran opioid addiction need, to be addressed. People like Adam are on the front lines every day working with our veterans and this is the least we can do to help those that help our vets.”
Zurhellen’s presentation and remarks received a standing ovation from the room full of veterans and their families.
The Poughkeepsie River District Association also joined in the holiday spirit and donated $1,000 to Vet2Vet. Michael Reed, owner of Noah’s Ark on Mill Street said, “Our organization thinks that it’s important to help our veterans. Adam Roche and his staff do great things for our veterans and we are honored to help Vet2Vet carry out their work.” Pat Rohan, manager of Mahoney’s added, “It’s great to see people coming together to help our vets. The positive impact that Adam and his staff have had on local veterans is noticeable and we’re glad to help.”
Vet2Vet provides a litany of services for Dutchess County veterans. Roche and his staff made up of veterans provide peer-to-peer counseling, assistance with homelessness, job placement, and other assistance to veterans that are experiencing difficulties. Roche has seen the program grow exponentially since its inception in 2016. “We knew a need existed and with the help of State Senator Sue Serino and Dutchess County government, we started and have seen the program grow every day,” said Roche.
