PenFed Credit Union Gives $25,000 to Eugene Charities

Eugene, Ore., August 3, 2018– PenFed Credit Union’s Eugene Service Center today announced charitable donations totaling $25,000 to Bags of Love, Reality Kitchen, Relief Nursery, and Willamette Animal Guild (WAG). PenFed employees and their leadership team met with each of the organizations while presenting them with checks last month.

The donations are part of PenFed Credit Union’s commitment to giving $100,000 to local nonprofit organizations in Eugene this year. Each quarter, PenFed’s Eugene Service Center employees select local charities that align with the core values of the credit union and resonate with them personally.

“Each of these charities make a tremendous impact on the lives of those in the Lane County community,” said PenFed’s Senior Vice President of Operations Dave Silvey who manages the Eugene Service Center. “On behalf of all PenFed employees, we want to thank all of them for all they do to support our community."

PenFed employees presented a check to Becky Stenzel, executive director of Bags of Love, a local nonprofit that provides necessities and comfort items to children who are in crisis due to neglect, abuse, poverty or homelessness.

“We appreciate the generosity of PenFed and the support we are getting from the employees,” said Stenzel. “We currently work with 49 regional non-profits, government agencies, and school district locations throughout Lane County. These groups help us identify kids in crisis, and rely on Bags of Love for necessity and comfort items the children so desperately need.”

PenFed employees also presented a check to Reality Kitchen, an organization offering employment path experiences designed to nourish and inspire all learners, with and without disabilities, to thrive personally and professionally with support and resources in a community inclusive setting. During the visit, PenFed employees met with staff, participants, and volunteers while touring the facility, which includes a wholesale bakery and retail café.

"The generous donation from PenFed will give us the significant start to upgrading our food service, and the increased income and opportunities to create more employment experiences for our supported staff," said Jim Evangelista, executive director of Reality Kitchen.

“Receiving such a substantial affirmation that we are making a positive impact on the community certainly helps us continue in our commitment to serve our neighbors, businesses, customers, families, and our supported staff," he said.

Willamette Animal Guild (WAG), was the third charity selected by PenFed employees to receive a donation check. WAG focuses its mission on the prevention of cruelty to animals, with a current emphasis on spay/neuter.

"We are grateful to PenFed's employees for selecting WAG as a donation recipient. Our clinic provides low-cost spay/neuter services for over 5,000 pets annually, reaching our 50,000th surgery milestone this year,” said Kurea Delgado, WAG director of operations.

“WAG’s services have prevented over 250,000 unwanted pets in Lane County over the last decade. WAG’s services are available to everyone and limited-income subsidies are available with our Spay It Forward program. Community support from donors like PenFed is critical to WAG's success in reducing pet overpopulation, keeping animals off the streets and out of shelters, and in loving homes where they belong,” she said.

PenFed employees also presented a donation check to Relief Nursery during a visit to the facility. The organization works to prevent the cycle of child abuse and neglect through early intervention that focuses on building successful and resilient children, strengthening parents, and preserving families.

“PenFed’s gift was a great surprise and we are deeply grateful for their support of Relief Nursery children and families in this most generous way. This will go a long way toward supporting our mission of strengthening families and keeping children safe,” Kelly Sutherland, executive director of Relief Nursery.

“We really rely on our community partners, not only for fundraising, but for volunteering and advocacy as well. An investment in our children and families, is an investment in our community. Our sincerest thanks to the awesome employees of PenFed,” said Sutherland.

PenFed supports local veteran and community organizations through donations and has also given 1,400 hours in volunteer time locally since the Eugene Service Center opening in 1996.  Previous community organization recipients include: United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Food for Lane County, The Eugene Mission, Lane Blood Center, First Place Family Center, Greenhill Humane Society, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Of Lane County, Northwest Battle Buddies, White Bird Clinic, Womenspace, and A Family for Every Child (AFFEC).

PenFed’s Eugene Service Center began with 24 employees and today employs 495 people that help to serve PenFed’s 1.7 million members worldwide.

About PenFed Credit Union

Established in 1935 as the War Department Credit Union, Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) is America’s second-largest federal credit union, serving 1.7 million members worldwide with $23.5 billion in assets. Our mission is to help members reach their financial potential. PenFed Credit Union offers market-leading mortgages, automobile loans, credit cards, student loans, checking, certificates, and a wide range of other financial services with members’ interests always in mind. We have a proud history of serving those in the Armed Forces, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Military Associations, eligible veterans and retirees, and their families. You may also qualify through membership in select organizations within our field of membership. PenFed Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an equal housing lender. To learn more about PenFed Credit Union, visit PenFed.org, like us on Facebook and follow us @PenFed on Twitter. Interested in working for PenFed? Check us out on LinkedIn. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.