Community Leaders Honored at Annual Business Philanthropy Summit
Alexandria, VA – Volunteer Alexandria announced today the 2018 community award winners. The awards will be presented at the 20th annual Alexandria Business Philanthropy Summit on Wednesday, May 30th at 7:30 a.m. The Business Philanthropy Summit marks the first of three Spring for Alexandria events this season.
“We are incredibly pleased to have two of the most accomplished and eminent businesses receiving the award. They both are changing the lives of many people in a way that matters to them,” said Marion Brunken, Executive Director, Volunteer Alexandria.
James Schenck of PenFed Credit Union is the 2018 Large Business Philanthropist of the Year.
PenFed Credit Union has long been a part of the Alexandria community. The credit union made its headquarters in Alexandria from 1982-2016, and the PenFed Foundation is still headquartered in Alexandria along with 250 employees of the credit union. As CEO of PenFed, James Schenck is the top executive of America’s second-largest federal credit union, serving over 300,000 members in greater Washington.
Mr. Schenck is an active volunteer for the PenFed Foundation that changes the lives of military families by helping veterans heal wounds, pay bills, own homes, and start businesses. Under Mr. Schenck’s leadership, PenFed is dedicated to supporting Alexandria and its citizens. In 2017, PenFed donated $4 million to organizations that support military families, including the Military Officers Association of America and Bunker Labs in Alexandria. MOAA received $75,000 to assist veterans with financial literacy, while Bunker Labs received $15,000 to present educational sessions for veteran entrepreneurs. Other PenFed donations helping members in our community include the Kennedy Center’s free concerts for military families, accessible homes built by the Gary Sinise Foundation and Serve Our Willing Warriors, and veteran employment initiatives of the US Chamber of Commerce and Northern VA Technology Council.
Jen Walker of the Jen Walker Team is the 2018 Small Business Philanthropist of the Year.
For more than two decades, Jen Walker has dedicated her time, talents and generosity to making sure there is no better place than Alexandria to live and raise a family. It would be close to impossible to find a community event that Jen has not helped to make a success.
Over the years, Jen has taken pride in assisting dozens of community organizations and supporting hundreds of events including the Del Ray Halloween Parade, Art on the Avenue, Alexandria Turkey Trot, and Mount Vernon Community School, to name only a few. She has also served as a board member of the Del Ray Business Association, the Campagna Center, and the Alexandria YMCA.
One of Jen’s recurring and signature contributions to the community is Cinema Del Ray, a movie night attracting thousands of attendees during the summer months. Jen has organized and funded this family-friendly event for over 12 years. “This is such well-deserved recognition for someone who gives nonstop to her community and although Jen often prefers to do things quietly and behind the scenes, we as her friends are so excited to see her receive this award, “says Bill Blackburn, member of the DRBA.
Beyond Jen’s philanthropic activity, her abiding love for the community is endless. Her leadership and dedication has helped to make Del Ray one of the most stable, sought-after and family-centric communities in the greater Washington area. These efforts have earned Jennifer numerous accolades and awards, including the Marguerite Payez Leadership Award, Living Legends of Alexandria, Heart of Del Ray, and the Del Ray Star Award
The Alexandria Business Philanthropy Summit will take place on May 30th from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. If you are interested in attending, tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at Volunteer Alexandria.
About Volunteer Alexandria
Volunteer Alexandria strives to build a stronger community by inspiring and mobilizing people to volunteer. The organization serves as a matchmaker, providing connections between volunteers and organizations that need assistance, when and where it is needed, throughout the community. From creating and maintaining green space, preparing for emergencies, promoting arts and culture, developing hands-on job skills, to feeding the hungry, Volunteer Alexandria has a 36-year legacy of caring for the heart of Alexandria. By mobilizing helping hands, Volunteer Alexandria is in the business of helping Alexandrians give back to this city with their whole heart, through volunteering.
