PenFed Foundation donates $65,000 to support D.C. area veterans and military community
Armed Services Arts Partnership, Friendship Place and U.S. VETS receive donations bringing total recent local donations to $90,000
TYSONS, VA (August 29, 2018) — The PenFed Foundation today announced donations to three Washington D.C. area organizations totaling $65,000 to support local veterans and the military community. These donations bring the Foundation’s total recent contributions to local organizations to $90,000 and were part of the record $2.5 million the PenFed Foundation raised at its 14th Annual Night of Heroes Gala in May.
“We are committed to taking care of those who courageously serve our country and are proud to support the brave men and women here in the D.C. area,” said Bruce Kasold, acting President and COO of PenFed Foundation. “These programs align perfectly with our Foundation’s commitment to help members of the military community secure their financial future.”
PenFed Foundation presented Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP) with a $25,000 donation check on August 26 prior to the organization’s Veterans Comedy Show event at Fairwinds Brewing Company in Lorton, VA. The donation will support programing focused on reintegrating D.C. area veterans into the community through the arts.
“This grant will allow us to serve 200+ veterans throughout the next year, providing a constructive outlet to develop new skills, hone their stories, and build community,” said Sam Pressler, executive director of ASAP. “We are deeply grateful for PenFed Foundation’s belief in our mission.”
ASAP promotes expression, skill-development, and camaraderie through classes, workshops, and performances across a variety of artistic disciplines. The organization’s approach provides participants with transferable life skills, a renewed sense of purpose, and improved well-being, while strengthening ties between veterans and their communities through the arts.
PenFed Foundation presented Friendship Place with a $20,000 donation check on August 23 to support housing services for D.C. area veterans. The donation will help to fund Friendship Place’s Veterans First program providing case management services aimed at housing stability for veterans. These services may include assistance with locating and moving into a permanent housing unit, connecting with benefits, employment assistance, connecting with medical and mental health care, budgeting, and other needs identified during intake.
“The support of PenFed Foundation will enable Friendship Place to serve those who have bravely served our nation, and who are experiencing homelessness,” said Theresa McKillop, Friendship Place chief program officer. “We are proud to be a part of the PenFed family and to recognize the contributions of our armed forces.”
PenFed Foundation also presented U.S. VETS D.C. with a $20,000 donation to support the organization’s homeless veterans reintegration program and will be used to pay rent or utility deposits, past due rent, mortgage, utilities, car payments and auto insurance, as well as for necessary basic home furnishings and supplies.
U.S. VETS is a private non-profit organization providing housing, employment and counseling services to our nation’s veterans, the men and women from all branches of the armed forces who have served our country from World War II to the current conflict in Afghanistan.
“We are grateful to PenFed Foundation for supporting our goal to eliminate veteran homelessness and provide a full range of reintegration services that support veterans in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area,” said Clifton Lewis, executive director of U.S.VETS-Washington D.C. “This goal could not be achieved without the support of organizations like PenFed Foundation.”
Earlier this month, PenFed Foundation presented a $25,000 donation to Dog Tag Inc. (DTI) to support D.C. area veteran entrepreneurs and the military community through the organization’s innovative five-month business and entrepreneurship-focused fellowship program.
Since it was created in 2001, the PenFed Foundation has provided more than $30 million in financial support to veterans, active duty service members, families and caregivers. Through its Military Heroes Program, the Foundation serves those who have served and sacrificed for the nation by providing assistance to purchase a first home, manage through a temporary financial setback, and avoid predatory, pay-day lending.
Additionally, through its new Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program (VEIP), the Foundation leverages its capital and influential networks to help specially selected and qualified veteran entrepreneurs succeed in business. Through VEIP, the Foundation will provide veteran-owned start-ups with seed capital to build and grow their businesses, create a robust network for veteran-owned businesses to succeed and enable the PenFed Foundation to perpetually re-invest returns in future veteran-owned businesses.
PenFed Foundation presents Friendship Place with a $20,000 donation check to support housing services for veterans.
PenFed Foundation presents U.S. VETS D.C. with a $20,000 donation check to support the organization’s homeless veterans reintegration program in D.C.
PenFed Foundation presents Armed Services Arts Partnership with a $25,000 donation check to support programing focused on reintegrating D.C. area veterans into the community through the arts.
About PenFed Foundation
Founded in 2001, The PenFed Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that supports veterans in their transition from service to success. Affiliated with PenFed Credit Union, the Foundation has provided more than $55 million in financial support to veterans, active-duty service members and military families. The credit union funds the Foundation's personnel and most operational costs, allowing 99% of incoming donations to go directly to our programs. To learn more, please visit www.penfedfoundation.org.
