Petillo Pledges to Support Military Families

Hopatcong Mayor Sylvia Petillo was one of 30 Sussex County leaders who pledged to support local military families in need Thursday.

Petillo signed a U.S. Army Community Covenant during a ceremony at Picatinny Arsenal. Other notable guests who signed the agreement were Senator Steven V. Oroho, Sussex County Community College President Paul Mazur and Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada.

Read the press release from the United Way of Northern New Jersey below for more.

United Way of Northern New Jersey joined 30 Sussex County elected and community leaders Thursday to pledge support for local military families in need by signing a U.S. Army Community Covenant during a ceremony at Picatinny Arsenal.

By signing this covenant, all parties made a formal commitment of support for those serving in the various branches of the U.S. Army, including Active, Guard and Reserve. For United Way, this was the continuation of an active partnership with Picatinny Arsenal since 2009. United Way has been committed to improving the quality of life for soldiers and their families through the United Way Front Line Fund, a critical safety net to help our local military families before, during and after deployment.

"The 99 percent of us who are not serving our country in uniform have a duty to support those who protect our freedoms daily at home and abroad,” said United Way of Northern New Jersey CEO John Franklin. “United Way is proud to join in this community effort to provide the support on the home front for our soldiers and their families."

Franklin signed the covenant along with 30 Sussex County leaders. Picatinny Arsenal Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Herb Koehler presided over the dedication with state, county and local officials present, including N.J. Senator Steven V. Oroho, Sussex County Community College President Paul Mazur, Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada, Sussex County Administrator John Eskilson, Sussex County Freeholder Director Phillip Crabb, John Drake, of the Sussex County Economic Development Partnership and the mayors of Branchville, Frankford, Hardyston, Hopatcong, Montague, Sandyston, Stanhope, Stillwater Twp., Sussex and Vernon.

“Soldiers draw strength from their families, families rely on the community, and the Army and the nation rely on the strength of its soldiers and that is what makes us ‘Army Strong’,” said Brig. Gen. Jonathan Maddux, Picatinny’s commanding general and Program Executive Officer for Ammunition in a prepared statement.

Since the United Way Front Line Fund was established in 2009, United Way has raised $100,000 to address the unique financial and emotional stresses associated with having a loved one serving on the front lines or reintegrating into civilian life. United Way began working with a network of health and human service partners and military entities in Morris County and is now expanding the reach across the region, including Sussex County.

Funds are currently available to help military families and post 9/11 veterans with a range of needs, including child care or respite needs, emergency home repairs, housing costs and utility assistance, mental health services, medical costs and more.

Members of a military family, active duty service members and post-9/11 veterans can apply for assistance from the Fund if they live, work or are based in Morris, North Essex, Somerset, Sussex or Warren counties.

Family Service of Morris County is handling the distribution of the United Way Front Line Fund to qualifying individuals. To learn more or to apply for assistance, contact Sylvia Lippe at sLippe@fsmc.org or call 973.538.5260 

For more information about the United Way Front Line Fund visit www.UnitedWayNNJ.org