PenFed Foundation Welcomes 'Hurt Locker' Writer and Producer Mark Boal to Benefit Dinner for Veterans Lodging

Nonprofit Honors Special Guest at LA Dinner Event for New Defenders Lodge for Vets Seeking Care

Defense News: LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - 05/15/10) - 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, welcomes "The Hurt Locker" writer and producer Mark Boal to its May 17 event in Los Angeles.

"I'm deeply honored to support PenFed's efforts on behalf of veterans," said Boal, who will be honored as the special guest at a benefit dinner at The Palm Restaurant. The event will raise money for the new Defenders Lodge, a state-of-the-art hotel for veterans seeking medical care and undergoing treatment. The facility, which will replace the existing Hometel in Palo Alto, Calif., will serve over 10,000 needy patients annually.

"Mark Boal's films show a deep understanding of the daily lives of the troops," said Kate Kohler, chief operating officer for the PenFed Foundation. "He understands the importance the new Defenders Lodge will have for returning veterans who need medical care and we're delighted to have him as our special guest for the dinner."

A freelance journalist who was embedded in Iraq in 2004 with troops and bomb squads, Boal won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for "The Hurt Locker" in 2009 and his screenplay won six other major awards as well. He also co-wrote the 2007 film "In the Valley of Elah."

Thousands of veterans travel from all over the West Coast and Pacific Rim to the VA Palo Alto Hospital for treatment and the new Defenders Lodge will provide a free and comfortable place for them to stay. Last year nearly 11,000 patients had to find temporary housing and many had to drive 50 miles to find an affordable hotel while they waited for treatment. Some veterans were sleeping in their cars because they could not find affordable lodging -- the new Defenders Lodge will solve this problem.

"Our veterans deserve the best care that we can provide them," said Kohler. "This benefit dinner is just one step towards raising the money we need to build the Defenders Lodge and we are thankful to have Mark Boal be such a special part of this effort."

The benefit dinner will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on May 17 at the Palm Restaurant at 9001 Santa Monica Boulevard. Space is limited, so those interested in attending and/or sponsoring the event are asked to contact Pauline Poh at 703-838-1085 or Jenna Rathe at 703-838-1240, as soon as possible.

About the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation (PenFed Foundation)
The PenFed Foundation is a nationally-recognized nonprofit organization working to meet the unmet needs of military personnel and their families through supporting wounded soldiers, providing financial management assistance and home ownership aid. The foundation is also the primary sponsor of the new $12.5 million Defenders Lodge supported by donated land from the government and financed entirely through private donations. The Pentagon Federal Credit Union covers all labor expenses for the foundation so every dollar donated goes directly to supporting its programs.

To make a donation or learn more about the foundation, visit: www.PentagonFoundation.org

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Contact: 
Alison Beckwith
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