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

Nolly Climes

President

Nolly holds the position of Human Service Coordinator within the Behavioral Science Department at SUNY Orange, where he taught previously as an adjunt instructor for 19 years.  Prior experience includes working at Rehabilitation Support Services Inc. in various administrative roles, including program and managing director, for over 30 years.. Nolly has been the President of the Joint Membership of Health and Community Agencies (JHMCA), a federation of human services agencies, for more than 20 years. He is a licensed mental health counselor and a New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA) member.  Additionally, he is involved in the music ministry at the Most Precious Blood Parish in Walden.

Steven Drobysh

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

Margaret Smith

Treasurer

Ms. Smith is well renowned in the community for her long standing career with First Federal Savings of Middletown, a $154 million federal mutual savings association in Middletown.  She began her career in 1979 as Assistant Vice President, became 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. 

As Maggie transitions into retirement, she will retain her connection to First Federal Savings of Middletown by continuing in the role of Chair of the Board.  In this capacity, her expertise and insights will continue to guide the bank’s strategic growth, maintaining the foundation of community values that have defined the institution for decades.

Maggie’s commitment to volunteer work can also be seen through her work serving on the Boards of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan and Garnet Health Foundation.

Tara Bliss

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.  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, Walden Community Council and Leadership Orange.

Tara currently resides in Walden with her husband Michael and their two beautiful children, Mason and Michaela.

Marsi Ann Clark

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

David Cantor

David Cantor

Member since 2012

Renee DeZemo

Renee DeZemo

Member since 2023

Priscilla Holden

Priscilla Holden

Member since 2012

Kristy Horaz

Kristy Horaz

Member since 2022

Barry D. Kass

Barry D. Kass

Member since 2015

Hayden Lerner

Hayden Lerner

Member since 2024

Barry Lewis

Barry Lewis

Member since 2014

Cynthia Weintraub

Cynthia Weintraub

Member since 2009

Rasheena Wilson

Rasheena Wilson

Member since 2024

Testimonials

Joe Vanderhoof

Former President & Publisher, Times Herald-Record

“The Fund was founded on a simple principle: to help individuals and families get through a hardship or crisis. When help is needed for folks who normally don’t need assistance, People for People is there for them.

Mike Muntz

President, Saturday Night Cruisers Car Club

“It’s a rough world out there nowadays, thank God for People for People. Without them, many people just wouldn’t know what to do.