Who We Are
Patriot Guard Riders of New York, Inc. (PGRNY) is a non-profit New York corporation organized exclusively for charitable and community service purposes. PGRNY is affiliated with Patriot Guard Riders, a national organization. Members of PGRNY must first be members of the Patriot Guard Riders National Organization.
PGRNY is a diverse group of patriots who come together to show support to US service members, veterans, and their families by standing flag lines and providing escorts at memorial services and other events honoring veterans and military personnel. We do not have meetings, dues or most of the other membership requirements of other organizations. The only thing we have in common is a deep feeling of appreciation of the sacrifices that our military and first responders have made and continue to make. Many members also share a love of motorcycles and many are also veterans, but neither is a requirement.
We are a 100% volunteer organization. Any donations received go directly to the veterans in the form of a plaque to the family at memorial services or as assistance to members of the Armed Services, veterans, families of deployed service members, and Gold Star families in need through our Help on the Homefront (HOTH) program.
Explore the website to learn more about PGRNY and considering joining us in standing for those who stood for us.
Freedom isn't free, but membership is: REGISTER
Note from William Schaaf - State Captain
Just a reminder. The orders are coming in but we're still far short of our goal and we have just a little over 30 days to go. Please give serious consideration to donating this year.
Every year in early December, scores of tractor trailer trucks leave Maine and make their way across the U.S. to deliver wreaths to Veteran's cemeteries. Wreaths which have been purchased by citizens for placement on the graves of our honored veterans at Christmas time. Capital area Patriot Guard Riders have been a part of the volunteer effort that fundraises for these wreaths and physically places them at the graves at Saratoga National Cemetery. It's hard to believe but it is that time of year again, time to begin to ramp up our efforts to see to it that as many wreaths as possible are able to be placed on the graves of our veterans at Saratoga National Cemetery.
Last year our ultimate goal was finally achieved, 11,000+ wreaths were able to completely cover every veteran’s grave at the cemetery. This couldn’t have happened without your support. The cemetery inters over an additional 1000+ veterans every year, so we have to make sure we keep up with these increases.
If any of you should have any questions about the forms or about the Wreaths Across America program, please feel free to contact me at any time. This is a voluntary program, participate or don't participate, but please spread the word about this wonderful program to others who you think may be interested.
Click HERE for ordering online.
Click HERE for a computer fillable form to mail in your order and payment.
DO YOUR PART – THEN TELL OTHERS.
Thank you so much for your consideration.
Bill Schaaf
Patriot Guard Riders NY - State Captain
Veteran Recovery Program - NY State Coordinator
PGR NY Board of Directors - President
pgrnysc@gmail.com
billschaaf@aol.com
518-542-0608
Fellow PGR Members,
Good day all. I have some exciting news for you all. As you may or may not know the Patriot Guard Riders have been a National Partner of the Snowball Express Program for a number of years now. Recently the Snowball Express program moved over to the Gary Sinise Foundation. With that move this years event moves to Disney World in Florida so it will be a huge undertaking financially to send almost 2,000 Gold Star Family members to enjoy 5 days of healing and fun.
We have been working with Gary Sinise to form a National PGR Snowball Express Fund-raising Program. We have an opportunity to make a huge financial impact here for as little as $5.00 or more per member. Those members could then share the page with 5 friends and family members or more and so on till it Snowballs. No pun intended!!!! Well maybe a little.
I am attaching the link below for you all to share as well. Please take a moment to check the website out especially the PSA Gary Sinise did himself about the Patriot Guard shown above, which is on the website. You are all free to make your own teams or donate under your region. A little competition between regions and teams could turn out to be some fun too.
The first link below is the donation link that where you can donate and share. The second link is for the Snowball Express website which will give you some history and background information about this program. Anyone who’s ever been a part of an escort, departure celebration or actually volunteered at the event can tell you it’s something you will never forget and it’s so addicting you won’t stop. Thank you for your support and thank you all for all you do.
Patriot Guard Riders Support Families of the Fallen campaign site.
Snowball Express history and background.
It’s simple and easy for PGR members to get involved. Fundraising teams have been created for each of the 9 PGR Regions. Your friends and family will be able to join your team.
We recommend that you follow these simple instructions to get started:
- To Start, PGR Members should, Click the “Become a Fundraiser” button above, and then select the “Join a team”. Locate and Click on your Region and then “Create an Account”. You will then enter your e-mail address and create your own password and Click NEXT.
- Start your fundraising page off by donating at least $5.00 (you can donate a little more if you want to) You have now set up your own page and you can invite others to join your team.
- Share your page with at least five friends or family members and encourage them to do the same.
As Gary reminds us, "While we can never do enough to show gratitude to our nation's defenders, we can always do a little more." And if your community is able to “do a little more,” they have the option to do so.
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Respectfully,
John "Smiley" Fenech
Vice-President HOTH
Patriot Guard Riders
(PGRNY is the Mid-Atlantic Region)
