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 is holding a video contest to find a caregiver of a wounded service member or veteran who will be honored as the “hero at home” at its Eighth Annual Night of Heroes Gala later this year. The public will help choose the winner on YouTube. “Too often we forget the courage and sacrifice of family members and friends who help our wounded service members and veterans ” says Kate Kohler chief operating officer of the PenFed Foundation and a former U.S. Army captain. “We hope that by encouraging caregivers of our military to share their stories on YouTube more Americans will recognize their contributions.” Under the Hero at Home Video Contest the caregiver depicted in the most compelling YouTube video submitted will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. and receive the Hero at Home award at the PenFed Foundation’s Eighth Annual Night of Heroes Gala on May 24 2012. This year’s gala will honor family and friends who care for wounded military heroes while they are recuperating from the hospital and after they return home. To enter contestants must upload on YouTube a one- to two-minute video about a “hero at home” who went above and beyond to care for an injured service member or veteran then complete the entry form at http://www.penfedfoundation.org/heroathomecontest with the URL of the video. Contestants must also “like” the PenFed Foundation’s official fan page on Facebook. Service members veterans their caregivers or a third party can make nominations. All submitted videos will be featured on the PenFed Foundation’s YouTube page. Entries will be accepted between March 1 and April 12. Five finalists will be announced on April 16 and the public will be invited to help choose the winner on the PenFed Foundation’s YouTube finalist’s page at http://bit.ly/heroathomefinalists through April 22 by liking their favorite video. The finalist with the most likes will win. An official announcement will be made on April 23. Last year’s gala brought together more than 500 corporate defense and congressional leaders and several distinguished service members have already begun preparing for this year’s event. In addition to General Barry R. McCaffrey USA (Ret.) returning for the eighth year as the awards presenter Joe Mantegna American actor producer writer and director will receive the American Hero Award. The Defense Credit Union Council and credit union partners of the PenFed Foundation’s Asset Recovery Kit (ARK) program will receive the Community Hero Award. Jim Miklaszewski NBC chief Pentagon correspondent will serve as the master of ceremonies. “Our guests at the Night of Heroes Gala in the past have included wounded veterans and military from across the country national leaders and elected officials ” says Kohler. “But we feel that this year’s hero at home may end up being the most special of all.”
