No Veteran Left Behind
ABOUT US
Provisions4Patriots is working to help our Nation's Bravest who are in need of assistance. Founded in 2015 our mission is, "No Veteran Left Behind." The birth of Provisions4Patriots is not an accident. Al Kennedy, founder is a Navy Veteran. His father, also Al, was a Korea War Army Medic, and his son Liam, is also a Navy Veteran. Participating in veteran events, joining veteran organizations, and becoming educated on the tragedy of veteran homelessness drove Al to start this Non-Profit organization. We are a registered 501(c) 3.
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Our focus, related to our mission statement, is to help our brothers and sisters, who are facing difficult times and need a "hand up instead of a hand out."
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Provisions4Patriots accepts clothing, hygiene items, footwear, outerwear, household goods, monetary donations, and the like items. Provisions4Patriots believes a veteran should not have to worry about clothing, a home, or transportation. We continue to work with local, state, and veteran organizations aligned with our mission.
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Our Board of Directors comes from distinct backgrounds. Their consultation allows Provisions4Patriots to remain focused on mission centric opportunities.
Board of Directors
Al Kennedy
Founder
Al started Provisions4Patriots in 2015 in an effort to provide outreach and assistance to the homeless veteran community.
Al is a United States Navy veteran serving from 1986-1994 and his son Liam served in the Navy from 2012-2018.
The mission is personal.
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Al has been in transportation and logistics since 1999 holding various roles and responsibilities in all aspects of the industry. Currently residing in the greater Savannah, Georgia area, Al is a member of the American Legion, VFW Post 660, the Chatham County Veterans Council as well as the Knights of Columbus.
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Al graduated from Montclair State University in 1998 with a BA in Communication Studies, Cum Laude.
William "Bill" Madaras
Strategic Planning & Outreach
Bill attended Rutgers University with a focus on Psychology. He currently works in the import division and off-shore footwear sourcing for Madaras International, Inc. He is a
Gold Star Father, having lost his son PFC Nicholas A. Madaras who was KIA in Baqubah, Iraq on Sept. 3, 2006. In November 2006, he started the Kick for Nick Foundation, which provides soccer balls to underprivileged children across the globe.
In 2007, by way of a donation from the Homeless Veterans at Homes for the Brave, Bill was introducted to the ABRI-
Applied Behavioral Rehabilitation Institute, Inc. From 2007-2011, Bill and his wife, working with ABRI, set out to establish a "residence" for Homeless Female Veterans by way of the "Female Soldiers / Forgotten Heroes" program His wife led the fundraising efforts, while ABRI applied for a grant, and being in Real Estate, my wife arranged a house for the program. The ribbon was cut on October 21, 2011, what would have been Nick's 25th birthday. The home is named the - Nicholas A. Madaras Home for Homeless Female Veterans, and can accommodate up to 4 Veterans with young children. In 2018 he and his wife were awarded the American Legion's Americanism Award for Connecticut for their work with the Homeless Veterans & the Kick for Nick program. Bill is also an honorary member of the James B. Whipple American Legion Post-86 in Wilton, CT.
Scott B. Andrews
Military Outreach
Scott is a veteran with over 31 years of service and three combat tours. He enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1989 and after completing Army Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training he deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Storm. While in the Army National Guard he was hired as an Indiana State Trooper where he served for 6 years. He was then offered a position with the Purdue University Police Department, where he dealt regularly with homeless persons, to include many Veterans. After tours in Afghanistan and Iraq he was hired into the full time force (AGR) where he continues to serve.
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“I was very honored when Alan Kennedy asked me to serve on the Board of Directors for Provisions4Patriots. I have known homeless veterans, and it absolutely breaks my heart. One of my own soldiers, I found out later, had been homeless and living in his car for over a month. When I asked him why he didn’t reach out to any of us from the platoon, he told me that he was just too embarrassed. That really brought it home for me.”
Michael Helmstetter
Outreach, Grants, & Finance
Mike is a Financial professional with several decades of experience managing financial accounting and reporting, financial systems implementation, budgeting, inventory reporting and variance analysis in the Consumer Products Industry. Mike has been employed with Resources Global Professionals since 2007. MIke is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, and received his Master’s in Business Administration from Seton Hall University.
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Mike has been married to Marianne since 1992 and has two daughters, Maureen and Maggie. Mike has volunteered for various civic and church organizations in New Jersey and is grateful for this opportunity to help the Veteran community.