Pentagon Federal Credit Union will help sponsor a specialconcert March 2 in San Juan to raise awareness of Puerto Rico's hurricane recovery needs.

The free, two-hour benefit concert will be given by Gary Sinise& the Lt. Dan Band, a program of the Gary Sinise Foundation.The band is named for Sinise's role as Lieutenant Dan in theAcademy Award-winning 1994 film “Forrest Gump.”

Four months after hurricane devastated the U.S. territory,hundreds of thousands of households are still without power, andmore than 3 million islanders are warned to boil water beforedrinking it.

“Hurricane Maria is still impacting Puerto Rico,” said JamesSchenck, president /CEO of PenFed CU of Alexandria, Va. ($22.9billion in assets, 1.6 million members).

“Although the devastating winds and flood waters hit five monthsago, millions of Puerto Ricans continue to feel the aftermath ofthe storm in their daily lives. Many survivors have endured monthswithout electric power, fresh food and running water.

“This free concert is a team effort to remind our fellowAmericans of the ongoing needs of Puerto Ricans, and show ourappreciation for everyone who has stayed on the island working hardto contribute to Puerto Rico's recovery and renewal.”

The concert is made possible by a $100,000 donation from PenFedCU to the Gary Sinise Foundation to sponsor the band as well assupport from American Airlines and Envoy, and Fogo de Chão SanJuan. American Airlines and Envoy are transporting the band toPuerto Rico. The internationally-renowned steakhouse from Brazil,Fogo de Chão, will be providing a post-concert celebration to thankband members and concert volunteers, coordinated by PenFed CU.

The concert is open to the public and will be held at the Army'sFort Buchanan across from the PenFed branch in Guaynabo. Siniseformed the Lt. Dan Band in 2004 to tour military bases for the USOand the foundation to provide support to wounded or fallen veteransand their families.

Category Five Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico Sept. 20 with 170mph winds and over 30 inches of rain. The storm took the lives ofmore than 500 people, injured many more and caused nearly $95billion in damages.

PenFed Credit Union, the nation's second-largest federal creditunion, responded with a number of initiatives to support itsemployees and nearly 200,000 members in Puerto Rico. For borrowersaffected by the storm, the credit union provided relief on loanpayments. For employees, it provided a disaster relief stipend, twoweeks' worth of meals, and portable power generators.

PenFed currently operates three branches in Puerto Rico: one onthe United States Army Garrison of Fort Buchanan, and two in SanPatricio Plaza in Guaynabo. PenFed plans to construct a fourthbranch in Hatillo.

Nicole Quiroga, president/CEO of the Greater Washington HispanicChamber of Commerce, said saluted PenFed for its recovery effortsin Puerto Rico.

“I have had the honor to work with James and PenFed over theyears, and have seen their steadfast, unwavering commitment to theadvancement of Latinos,” Quiroga said. “They are an exceptionalorganization and truly understand what it means to be a corporatecitizen.”