PenFed Foundation
Raises Over $800,000 for Veterans, Military Members, and Families
Wounded Veterans and Community and Business
Leaders Join Together at Military Heroes Golf Classic
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 25, 2018 - Military heroes
joined community and business leaders to raise over $800,000 at the PenFed Foundation’s 15th annual Military Heroes Golf
Classic on Monday, September 24th. Critical issues facing
wounded veterans returning from active duty took center stage at a private
event held Sunday evening in conjunction with
the golf tournament.
PenFed Credit Union covers all operating expenses for the Foundation, so
all proceeds from the tournament go directly to PenFed
Foundation programs. The PenFed Foundation supports more than 35,000 veterans, active-duty military
members and their families each year. The Foundation was created to aid members
of these communities who are struggling with financial uncertainty on top of
physical and psychological challenges.
“It is an honor to play alongside true warriors who
have been on the frontlines making sacrifices for all Americans. Our
nation’s wounded veterans face critical issues each and every day, and our PenFed Foundation ensures that a medical emergency will not
become a financial emergency. Thanks to everyone who generously supports the PenFed Foundation, our wounded veterans are able to win
back their independence,” said PenFed President and CEO James Schenck.
Dan Berschinski, a former U.S. Army
infantry officer who was severely wounded in Afghanistan in 2009,
was the featured speaker at the pre-tournament event sharing his inspirational
story and raising awareness of critical issues facing wounded veterans.
Berschinski, who lost both legs to an improvised explosive
device, spoke at a private pre-tournament dinner on Sunday about the
issues facing wounded veterans and how service dogs play an important role in
supporting and rehabilitating them.
“In
the year and a half that I have had my service dog Bunce,
I’ve come to realize that the service he provides goes far beyond the
physical,” Berschinski said. “Bunce
has already pulled me out of a few dark holes – not physically, but
emotionally. PenFed, through its partnership with
Canine Companions for Independence, is going to make a real difference in the
lives of some very special veterans.”
PenFed is sponsoring the raising of two
assistance dogs in-training in partnership with Canine Companions for
Independence®. Through this partnership, two PenFed
employees are currently raising two dogs and the company plans to expand the
program to raise two additional dogs.
At
the dinner, Berschinski went on to share how one of
the greatest blessings of serving in our armed forces is being able to care and
be responsible for a team of soldiers – and how, after an injury, the loss of
that leadership role can be devastating. Service dogs help veterans fill that
gap, giving them a new opportunity for mutual care and responsibility.
“Separating
from the military can be an incredibly disorienting experience for a veteran.
Losing that sense of purpose and that feeling of responsibility is incredibly
unsettling – and the presence of an injury only makes things more complicated.
But a service dog can be a game changer,” Berschinski
said.
Since its
founding in 2001, the PenFed Foundation has provided
more than $30 million in financial support to veterans, active duty service
members, families and caregivers, giving them the skills and resources they
need to build a strong financial future.
Through
its Military Heroes Fund, the
Foundation provides support and education in a wide variety of areas, from
home-buying assistance to interest-free micro loans and financial assistance
for in-home care for wounded veterans.
Most
recently, the PenFed Foundation donated $25,000 to the Armed Services Arts
Partnership (ASAP) to empower 200 veterans and military family members to
re-enter their communities and find their voice. To conclude Sunday’s dinner,
ASAP singer-songwriter Dani Figueroa performed
acoustic versions of songs with encouraging messages for those who have been
hurt to recover with resilience.
Additionally,
through its new Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program (VEIP), the
Foundation provides veteran-owned start-ups with seed capital to build and grow
their businesses. The goal of the program is to create a robust network of
support for these entrepreneurs. The Foundation will also re-invest returns in
future veteran-owned businesses.
To learn more about the PenFed
Foundation and see a short video about its mission, please visit the PenFed Foundation's website.
About the PenFed Foundation
Founded
in 2001, the PenFed Foundation is a national
nonprofit organization committed to helping members of our military community
secure their financial future. It provides service members, veterans, their
families and support networks with the skills and resources they need to
improve their lives through programs on financial education, credit-building,
home ownership, and short-term assistance. Affiliated with PenFed
Credit Union, the Foundation has the resources to effectively reach military
communities across the nation, build strong partnerships, and engage a
dedicated corps of volunteers in its mission. The credit union funds the
Foundation’s personnel and most operational costs, demonstrating its strong
commitment to the programs the Foundation provides. To learn more, visit www.penfedfoundation.org.