by guest contributor Alison Beckwith
Over 150 people gathered at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Va., last week to raise money for the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation (PenFed Foundation), which helps meet the unmet needs of military personnel and their families through emergency financial support, grants for first-time homebuyers and free financial counseling.
The Ninth Annual Military Heroes Golf Tournament raised more than $315,000 to help military personnel and their families, a record for the Alexandria-based nonprofit.
“By helping the wounded warriors today, the PenFed Foundation is helping the future.” said Charles Eggleston. “I’m just happy to get out today, away from the monotony and stress of recuperation,” chimed in John Spraul.
“The tournament is a major fundraiser for some of the PenFed Foundation’s most important programs to help veterans and active service members,” said Christopher Flynn, president of the PenFed Foundation. “But it’s also just a nice way to spend the day playing golf with friends. You can do good by having a good time.”
“Our scores don’t matter today, what we are doing for our wounded warriors does,” said Fred Caprio. “It’s been a privilege to be a part of this tournament, since they began. We are honored to support PenFed Foundation for the wounded warriors, ” added Brooke Gilchrist
The popular charity golf tournament raises money for programs which help the foundation provide wounded service members with free day care while they are undergoing medical treatment, give no-interest loans to service members in emergency situations and offer military personnel and their families grants for down payments and closing costs when buying their first home.
“Sponsors of our tournament have a chance to help the PenFed Foundation offer these important programs,” added Flynn. “It’s also a great opportunity to reach an audience of corporate and community leaders who also value the sacrifices made by our veterans.”
The money will help pay for the foundation’s programs including its Military Heroes Fund, which provides free day care for wounded veterans while they undergo much-needed surgeries as well as it’s Dream Makers program, which covers the down payments and closing costs for eligible military personnel and their families who are first-time home buyers.
This year, the tournament also raised money for the $11 million Defenders Lodge, a free hotel for veterans being built in Palo Alto, Calif. Right now, veterans getting help at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospital have to drive long distances to stay in affordable lodging accommodations before major surgery.
Tournament sponsors included Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed), PenFed Realty, Route 66 Extended Warranty, Epic Real Estate Solutions, American Express, Allied Solutions and PCSU.
“Every wounded warrior should be here today to see how much the PenFed Foundation works.” Ed Dauksz
