About Us
WHO WE ARE
The People for People Fund is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1985 by the Times Herald-Record and the Junior League of Orange County, NY, Inc.
Applicants last year
$ Awarded last year
Lives Touched
$ Awarded since 1985
What We Believe in…
Back in 1985, a group of folks asked themselves:
What if there was a place where you could go if you suddenly found yourself in a financial emergency? A place where folks who have always been self sufficient, who have never asked for help, could receive assistance with a car repair, a travel expense, a medical cost that they just couldn’t see coming.
You know, the kind of emergencies that can strike any of us, even if we’ve always worked hard. Even if we do everything right, things still can go wrong. And while there are social-service agencies to help the neediest cases, People for People is there for those who have been self-sufficient and would be turned away by others.
The fund is staffed by trained volunteers and supervised by a paid part-time executive director. A Board of Directors meets regularly to oversee the operations of the Fund.
1) Our Mission
Our mission is simple enough: to help local, self-reliant people who find themselves faced with a sudden emergency.
2) Our Vision
Our vision is to serve as a means of helping people in our communities help each other.
We Provide Financial Help
The People for People Fund offers a one-time grant to those who have been able to financially support themselves until a recent (and unexpected) event changed their circumstances.
The Fund may provide assistance to qualified applicants for housing, utilities, auto repair, medical bills or other expenses, so they can resolve their financial difficulty. Assistance is paid directly to a vendor or supplier of goods and services.
The History
Back in 1985, a group of folks asked themselves: What if there was a place where you could go if you suddenly found yourself in a financial emergency? A place where folks who have always been self sufficient, who have never asked for help, could receive assistance with a car repair, a travel expense, a medical cost that they just couldn’t see coming.
That place became the People for People Fund. Today, the fund remains laser focused on its original mission: to help local, self-reliant people who find themselves faced with a sudden emergency.
You know, the kind of emergencies that can strike any of us, even if we’ve always worked hard. Even if we do everything right, things still can go wrong. And while there are social-service agencies to help the neediest cases, People for People is there for those who have been self-sufficient and would be turned away by others.
There’s no red tape. No big budget. It’s staffed by volunteers and virtually every penny donated goes to help a local family or individual.
Donations come from the local community, school kids, civic groups, businesses, houses of worship and organizations. A volunteer board ensures that the whole operation runs smoothly, and a part-time executive director supervises the fund.
The requests for assistance are generally modest – a car payment so a parent can get to work, textbooks for a student, a delivery of oil to keep a family warm, relief from a looming medical bill for an unexpected illness – but for those who seek respite at People for People’s door it makes all the difference in the world.
There have been hurricanes and floods that have damaged homes, cars and budgets. There have been bitter cold winters and punishing hot summers, extremes equally capable of sending utility bills into unprecedented realms.
There was a building boom and then a bust, the Blizzard of ’96, 9/11, Katrina, Irene, Sandy, and the latest COVID-19 Pandemic. And through it all, through crises sweeping and small, when a neighbor has no place to turn, the People for People Fund is here.
There is a place.
Meet the Executive Team
Nolly Climes
President
Nolly works at Rehabilitation Support Services Inc. as a program director in Orange County. He is the president of the Joint Membership of Health and Community Agencies. He is also an assistant professor in the Behavioral Science department at SUNY Orange. Nolly is on the boards of the Orange County Department of Parks and Recreation, Orange County Office of the Aging, Human Rights Commission and Cornell Cooperative Extension. In addition, he is part of the music ministry at Assumption Parish in Maybrook.
Steven Drobysh
Vice President
Steven Drobysh, Vice President Ulster Savings Bank, has over 35 years banking experience in the Hudson Valley. Drobysh has specialized in lending to small and mid-size business using both traditional bank financing and state and federal loan and loan guaranty programs. In 2012 Drobysh was recognized by the SBA, Small Business Administration, for his work with the small business community by being named the SBA New York District and Northeast Regional, Financial Services Champion of the year.
Margaret Smith
Treasurer
Ms. Smith is a director, president and chief executive officer of First Federal Savings of Middletown, a $154 million federal mutual savings association in Middletown, New York. Ms. Smith started her career with First Federal in 1979 as chief financial and operating officer became a director in 1990, was named president in 2007 and chief executive officer in 2009. Prior to joining First Federal, Ms. Smith was a senior accountant with KPMG. A Certified Public Accountant, Ms. Smith is a member of the AICPA and the NYS Society of CPA’s.
Tara Bliss
Secretary
Tara is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania and is currently the Billing and Collections Specialist for RBT CPA’s LLP in Newburgh.
Tara was born and raised in Orange County and has deep roots in the volunteer community. She has been a member of the Junior League of Orange County, NY, Inc. since 2006 and is currently serving on the board on the Nominating Committee. She is a 14 year one-on-one mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County. She serves as the Secretary and founding member of Jimmy’s Helping Hands, Inc. and is an active member of the Walden Rotary Club and the Walden Community Council. She has worked with a number of organizations on their various projects and events including: Hudson Valley Lupus Walk, Corrine Feller Memorial Fund, Town of Wallkill Boys and Girls Club, and Leadership Orange.
Tara currently resides in Walden with her husband Michael and their two beautiful children, Mason and Michaela.
Marsi Ann Clark
Executive Director
Marsi brings 20 years of progressive business experience in bookkeeping and office management to her role. She provides a strong balance between accountability and fiduciary responsibility along with a sincere commitment to the cause. She has been involved with several community organizations, including Boy Scouts of America, where she participated at the district level serving as Cub Scout Roundtable commissioner and popcorn chairman. She received recognition from the Hudson Valley Council BSA, Minisink District, as commissioner of the Year, and District Award of Merit.
Meet the REST OF THE Team
Fina Badolato
Member since 2019
David Cantor
Member since 2012
Renee DeZemo
Member since 2023
Priscilla Holden
Member since 2012
Kristy Horaz
Member since 2022
Barry D. Kass
Member since 2015
Barry Lewis
Member since 2014
Cynthia Weintraub
Member since 2009