PenFed Foundation Marks Success of New Defenders Lodge With Continued Support From PenFed
Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) November 06, 2014 -- The Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation (PenFed Foundation) recently marked the six-month anniversary of the Lee & Penny Anderson Defenders Lodge, a no-cost hotel for veterans seeking medical treatment, with a special Night of Heroes Dinner held last week in Palo Alto, Calif. The lodge has served over 9,000 veterans and their caregivers since it opened in May 2014; providing top accommodations with state-of-the-art amenities.
“Without the generous support of PenFed, the Defenders Lodge could never have opened as early as it did,” said Jane Whitfield, president and CEO of the PenFed Foundation. “Because of PenFed’s continued support and initial loan for the construction of the hotel, many more veterans in need of accommodations have been able to stay at the lodge over the last six months.”
Through a joint partnership between the PenFed Foundation and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Defenders Lodge was made possible by way of individual donations and broad community support; including a $10 million low-interest loan provided by Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) in 2011 to help get construction underway. The credit union is a life-long supporter of the foundation and continues to cover all of its operating expenses so nearly every dollar donated goes directly to supporting its programs.
Before the new Defenders Lodge opened, many veterans receiving outpatient treatment at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Palo Alto stayed a long distance away, or even slept in their cars, because nearby hotels were prohibitively expensive. Some were even forced to forgo medical care because they could not afford accommodations. The Defenders Lodge is expected to serve about 15,000 veterans and their caregivers each year.
“On a daily basis, the new Defenders Lodge is having such a positive impact on the lives of veterans seeking medical care," said Whitfield. “This safe and comfortable, no-cost hotel will serve those who served our country for many years to come.”
To learn more about the Lee & Penny Anderson Defenders Lodge, visit: http://www.defenderslodge.org/.
About the PenFed Foundation
The PenFed Foundation is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization working to meet the unmet financial needs of military members and their families through supporting wounded warriors and providing the military community with financial management assistance and home ownership aid. Through a unique public-private partnership, the PenFed Foundation joined with the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund the new Lee and Penny Anderson Defenders Lodge, a $17 million project. PenFed (Pentagon Federal Credit Union) covers all operating expenses for the foundation so nearly every dollar donated goes directly to supporting its programs.
To make a donation or learn more about the foundation visit: http://www.pentagonfoundation.org/.
Alison Beckwith, Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation, http://www.penfedfoundation.org, +1 301-699-0148, [email protected]
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