PenFed Credit Union, along with Gary Sinise Foundation and their official airline partner American Airlines, today announced plans for a special benefit concert featuring Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band on March 2, 2018 to raise awareness of Puerto Rico’s hurricane recovery needs and to provide an evening of entertainment open to all.
“Hurricane Maria is still impacting Puerto Rico,” said James Schenck, President and CEO of PenFed Credit Union. “Although the devastating winds and flood waters hit five months ago today, millions of Puerto Ricans continue to feel the aftermath of the storm in their daily lives. Many survivors have endured months without electric power, fresh food and running water. This free concert is a team effort to remind our fellow Americans of the ongoing needs of Puerto Ricans, and show our appreciation for everyone who has stayed on the island working hard to contribute to Puerto Rico’s recovery and renewal.”
The concert will feature a two-hour music set from Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band. The band, a program of the Gary Sinise Foundation, was named for Sinise’s role as Lieutenant Dan in the Academy Award-winning film Forrest Gump. They will begin at 7:30 p.m. AST at the Fort Buchanan Community Club. Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winner Sinise will also meet with retired military personnel. Stolen Silver, an acoustic folk duo, will open the show at 7 p.m. AST.
“I send my thanks to our pals at PenFed, American Airlines and Envoy for making it possible for me to visit our amazing service members at Fort Buchanan on March 2nd,” said Sinise. “I am honored and excited to play a concert with my band to help boost the spirits of those who are working tirelessly on their important mission in support of the people of Puerto Rico.”
The concert is made possible by a $100,000 donation from PenFed Credit Union to the Gary Sinise Foundation to sponsor the band as well as generous support from American Airlines and Envoy, and Fogo de Chão San Juan. American Airlines and Envoy are transporting the band to Puerto Rico. The internationally-renowned steakhouse from Brazil, Fogo de Chão, will be providing a post-concert celebration to thank band members and concert volunteers, coordinated by PenFed Credit Union.
“The island and people of Puerto Rico have suffered greatly in the past six months, and we’re especially mindful of those members of the military in Puerto Rico who have endured so much. Their willingness to stand up and help fellow citizens in the wake of the storms, even though their own lives were affected in so many ways, is a testament to their tremendous sense of service and sacrifice,” said Captain Jim Palmersheim, American Airlines Senior Manager for Military and Veterans Initiatives. “American Airlines and Envoy are proud to support Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band as they travel the world entertaining those who serve our nation and their families.”
The concert is open to the public and will be held at Fort Buchanan across from the PenFed branch at Building 673, South Terminal Road, Fort Buchanan in Guaynabo. Guests should enter at the front gate of the base – off Road 28. Photo ID is required at the checkpoint. Once on base, there will be police officers guiding guests where to park.
On September 20, 2017, Category Five Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico with 170 mph winds and over 30 inches of rain. The storm took the lives of more than 500 people, injured many more and caused nearly $95 billion in damages. PenFed Credit Union, the nation’s second-largest federal credit union, responded with a number of initiatives to support its employees and nearly 200,000 members in Puerto Rico, including:
• Relief on loan payments for borrowers facing hardships caused by the natural disaster;
• $150,000 in aid packages for every PenFed employee in Puerto Rico. The packages included a disaster relief stipend, two weeks’ worth of meals, and portable power generators.
PenFed currently operates three branches in Puerto Rico: one on the United States Army Garrison of Fort Buchanan, and two in San Patricio Plaza in Guaynabo. PenFed plans to construct a fourth branch in Hatillo, Puerto Rico.
“I have had the honor to work with James and PenFed over the years, and have seen their steadfast, unwavering commitment to the advancement of Latinos,” said Nicole Quiroga, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “On behalf of the Hispanic business community in the Washington DC region, the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce salutes the efforts of James Schenck and the PenFed team who are currently providing valuable support to the recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. They are an exceptional organization and truly understand what it means to be a corporate citizen.”
