PenFed Foundation to Award Former Secretary of State George P. Shultz with American Hero Award

Four-time Cabinet member to be honored at dinner to raise money for Defenders Lodge

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Sep 30, 2015, 02:11 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation (PenFed Foundation), a nationally recognized nonprofit organization working to meet the unmet needs of military personnel and their families, announced today that it will honor former Secretary of State George P. Shultz with the American Hero Award at its second annual Night of Heroes Dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015 at the Los Altos Golf & Country Club in Los Altos, Calif.

"Secretary Shultz worked for three presidents on everything from improving the economy to winding down the Cold War, but he never forgot his time in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II," said James Schenck, president and CEO of the PenFed Foundation. "We are proud to present him with this award honoring his work on veterans' issues including efforts to help end homelessness among our military community."

One of only two people to serve in four Cabinet positions, Secretary Shultz will be presented with the American Hero Award at the Oct. 27 event. More than 300 guests, including corporate leaders, philanthropists, public figures, veterans and service members will attend. Sponsors of the event include Allied Solutions.

The event will benefit the Lee & Penny Anderson Defenders Lodge, which provides free accommodations for veterans and service members seeking medical care at the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif. The lodge was made possible through a joint partnership between the PenFed Foundation and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Since opening in 2014, the lodge has provided more than 27,000 nights of stay to more than 21,000 veterans and their caregivers.

"Before the Defenders Lodge opened, some veterans slept in their cars or stayed in hotels in other cities the night before having surgery at the VA hospital in Palo Alto," added Schenck. "We are proud to celebrate these world-class accommodations for our nation's defenders and honor a very special guest."

To purchase tickets and attend the 2015 Night of Heroes Dinner in Los Altos, Calif., and for more information, visit: bit.ly/2015NOHDinnerCA

About the PenFed Foundation
Founded in 2001, the PenFed Foundation is a national nonprofit organization committed to helping members of our military community secure their financial future. It provides service members, veterans, their families and support networks with the skills and resources they need to improve their lives through programs on financial education, credit-building, home ownership, and short-term assistance. Affiliated with PenFed Credit Union, the foundation has the resources to effectively reach military communities across the nation, build strong partnerships, and engage a dedicated corps of volunteers in its mission. The credit union funds the foundation's personnel and most operational costs, demonstrating its strong commitment to the programs the foundation provides.

To learn more, visit: www.penfedfoundation.org.

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SOURCE PenFed Foundation