ALEXANDRIA, Va.—PenFed Credit Union reached the $300,000 mark in charitable contributions to the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) with its most recent donation of $75,000.
The ASYMCA’s stated mission of Make Military Life Easier, takes aim at reducing the inherent stress military service places on those in uniform. The organization focuses its main effort where it is most needed—on entry-level enlisted personnel and their families. The ASYMCA’s tailored programs are designed to fill gaps in official government services, help young families cope with realities of military life and promote strong, resilient youth. PenFed began its partnership with ASYMCA in 2011.
“Our partnership with the ASYMCA reflects the DNA of PenFed Credit Union,” said President/CEO James Schenck. “Serving our nation’s defenders and those who support them is who we are as an organization. I’m also excited about working with the ASYMCA to connect service members and families in need with the PenFed Foundation, our charitable arm.”
Retired Navy Vice Adm. and ASYMCA President and CEO Bill French accepted the donation from PenFed and expressed excitement about the continued partnership with the credit union.
“I am very happy to receive this support from PenFed,” said French. “They are great partners and we hope they will continue to support our military men and women, and their families, for years to come.”
Separately, PenFed Credit Union executives presented $5,000 to the Air Force Assistance Fund on behalf of more than 450 PenFed employees working in the Greater Omaha Area, where the credit union has plans to expand its operations.
The AFAF is an annual effort to raise funds for charitable affiliates that provide support to Air Force personnel in need. The fundraising drive has a permanent theme of “Commitment to Caring.” It helps to meet the needs of active duty, retirees, reservists, members of the guard and their families—including surviving spouses—largely through donations from Airmen. The AFAF’s 2016 campaign runs until April 29.
President and CEO of PenFed James Schenck arranged the visit with the leadership at Offutt to gain greater insight on how to better serve members of the military community there. “Our men and women in uniform spend a lot of time away from home conducting the business of the nation, and that in itself comes with a very unique set of challenges," said Schenck.
Schenck's meeting with the senior leaders of two units at Offutt allowed him to hear first-hand how PenFed could best support the Omaha military community. Candid discussions with Col Marty Reynolds, Commander of the 55th Wing, 55th Wing Command MSgt Paul Linde and Col Sean Murphy, Commander of the 55th Communications Group, sparked ideas for community engagement actions with the base.
“A donation to the AFAF is a perfect way to provide immediate help, and it's symbolic of the connectedness PenFed enjoys with the military, but we want to do more,” said Schenck. “
Below, Commander of the 55th Wing, Col. Marty Reynolds, and PenFed President and CEO James Schenck