Lifetime of Service Award Honors PenFed
Foundation Board Chair Deborah
James
TYSONS, Va.,
May 13,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The PenFed Foundation,
a national 501(c)3 founded by PenFed Credit Union, today announced
it raised nearly $1.4 million at its
Celebration of Service Gala. The evening honored humanitarian and
community heroes, including PenFed Foundation Board Chair and
former Secretary of the Air Force Deborah
James.
James was presented with the Lifetime of Service Award for her
dedication to the nation as the second woman in history to lead a
branch of the U.S. military, a key defense industry executive and
Assistant Secretary of Defense and long-time congressional staff
member.
"The PenFed Foundation is proud to continue its legacy of
serving the brave men and women who defend our nation and
appreciates the generosity and patriotism of our donors for
supporting our military community," said PenFed Credit Union
President/CEO and PenFed Foundation CEO James Schenck. "It was an honor to recognize
Debbie James for her lifetime of
service. I have known Debbie for over 20 years and have learned so
much from her extraordinary leadership skills."
In addition to Secretary James, the PenFed Foundation
honored:
- Renata Parras with The Mary
Boies Humanitarian Award for providing legal services to ensure
safe futures for Afghan women military allies. Parras partnered
with other law firms to create a legal task force to ensure the
safety and future of 43 members of an all-female tactical combat
unit in Afghanistan who provided
critical help to U.S. troops.
- Carmen Rosario with
the National Community Hero Award for serving as the first
woman commander of The American Legion Puerto Rico and being
a true advocate for our country's military veterans and fighting
for the rights and benefits owed to them. The PenFed Foundation
also provided the American Legion post in Puerto Rico with a $25,000 grant to support its efforts across the
island.
- Air Force Sergeant Michael
Brennan with the National Community Hero Award
for advocating for service dogs for veterans. Brennan served in the
Middle East and witnessed
significant trauma and is the recipient of a Canine
Companions service dog. PenFed Foundation provided Canine
Companions with a $25,000 grant in
honor of Brennan and he will also receive the privilege of naming a
service dog.
- Erik Brine and Rob Raymond, founders of Operation
Encore, with National Community Hero Awards for helping
veteran and active-duty musicians take their music to the next
level through artist development and studio time. As part of the
award, Operation Encore received a $25,000 grant from the PenFed Foundation.
"The PenFed Foundation is grateful to our supporters and we
are thrilled to celebrate all of our honorees," said PenFed
Foundation President Andrea
McCarren. "They are an inspiration and epitomize our mission
of helping to ensure the transition of veterans from military
service to success in their civilian lives."
PT Bratton, a military veteran and former pastor who headlines
events all over North America and
has appeared on multiple television networks, served as the master
of ceremonies.
The PenFed Foundation, a national 501(c)3 founded by PenFed
Credit Union, was created in 2001 and, since then, has provided
more than $55 million in financial support to veterans, active-duty
service members, families, and caregivers. Those interested in
supporting the PenFed Foundation's mission to help the military
community and their support network are encouraged to
visit penfedfoundation.org.
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.
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SOURCE PenFed Foundation