PFCU cover

2930 Eisenhower Avenue • Alexandria VA 22314
703-838-1020
www.PentagonFoundation.org
the need is complex
One thing is certain, with concerns about their health, finances, and
transportation, the last thing they need to worry about is where they
will sleep.
Who are “they” and what do “they” need? They are our nation’s defenders
primarily residing in the western United States but many are from all over
the country. They are from every generation, including wounded warriors
from Iraq and Afghanistan. They fly in or drive in to the Palo Alto Veteran’s
Hospital in Palo Alto, California for treatment, operations and therapy.
They have no place to stay during this time and in some cases drive more
than 50 miles away to find an affordable hotel. Last year the hospital had
10,900 such patient visits out of a total population of 85,000 enrolled for
care. They need an onsite lodge to handle the patient load. We need your
help to build one. Read the following pages to learn why . . .
The Situation Today
Historical Perspective
The hospital currently has a former surgical ward turned into a
“Hometel”that has served as a temporary lodging
facility for more than 185,000 veterans since it
opened in 1990. Their ages ranged from 20-100,
and they served in all of America’s conflicts from
WWI to Iraq. They were sailors, Marines, airmen
and soldiers. As America’s defenders, many put
their lives on the line for our country and now
look to the VA to provide top-notch medical care
in a friendly, welcoming environment.
The VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) consists of three
inpatient facilities located at Palo Alto, Menlo
Park, and Livermore plus six outpatient clinics in
San Jose, Capitola, Monterey, Stockton, Modesto,
and Sonora. These facilities provide some of the
world’s finest medical care and cutting-edge
technology.
Many veterans must travel more than 50 miles to
get to the Palo Alto hospital and cannot afford
the high costs of hotels in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is then that
free temporary lodging becomes a real haven for veterans. They come
from as far away as Hawaii and Guam; Reno, Nevada; and Fresno and
Sacramento, California. Some stay for months receiving chemotherapy or radiation for their cancers, others stay for the night to ensure
their timely arrival for tests or surgery the next day. Families and caregivers, too, can stay if beds are available. With concerns about their
health, finances and transportation, the last thing they need to worry
about is where they will sleep.
Veterans deserve better. The “Hometel” is a former temporary surgical
ward designed to last ten years while a new hospital was being built.
Opened in 1989, this building has outlived its usefulness by ten years.
It was designed at a time when patient care did not actively involve
spouses/caregivers. The “Hometel”is a surgical ward construction that
is not conducive to today’s health care philosophy.
The VA Campus is adjacent to both Stanford University and a very active
business district. Affordable hotel rooms are available not readily
available for veterans. Sadly, patient visits will not decrease. Given the
level of attention required by Operation Enduring Freedom/
Operation Iraqi Freedom patients and the aging Korean War and
Vietnam War veterans, patient visits will increase.
VAPAHCS is a teaching hospital, providing a full
range of patient care services, with state-of-theart technology as well as education and research.
Comprehensive health care is provided in areas
of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, rehabilitation,
neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics, and extended care.
VAPAHCS operates nearly 900 beds, including three nursing homes
and a 100-bed homeless domiciliary all to serve more than 85,000
enrolled veterans. VAPAHCS is home to a variety of regional treatment
centers, including a Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, Spinal Cord
Injury Center, a Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center, a Traumatic
Brain Injury Center, the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center, a Geriatric
Research Educational and Clinical Center, a Homeless Veterans
Rehabilitation program, and the National Center for Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD).
VAPAHCS maintains one of the top three research programs in the VA
with extensive research centers in geriatrics, mental health,
Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord regeneration, schizophrenia,
Rehabilitation Research and Development Center, HIV research and a
Health Economics Resource Center. An affiliation with the Stanford
University School of Medicine provides a rich academic environment
including medical training for physicians in virtually all specialties and
subspecialties. Over 1,300 University residents, interns, and students
are trained each year.
What is Polytrauma?
The Palo Alto Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center is one of four VA facilities
in the country designed to provide intensive rehabilitative care to veterans and service members who experienced severe injuries (including
brain injuries) to more than one organ system. These Centers were
established by act of Congress in 2005.
Polytrauma care is for veterans and returning service
members with injuries to more than one physical
region or organ system, one of which may be life
threatening, and which results in physical, cognitive,
psychological, or psychosocial impairments and functional disability.
Some examples of Polytrauma include:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Hearing Loss
Amputations
Fractures
Burns
Visual Impairment
Comprehensive, high-quality, and inter-disciplinary
care is provided to patients. Teams of physicians from
every relevant field plan and administer an individually tailored rehabilitation plan to help the patient
recover as much as possible.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Many veterans with Polytrauma injuries also need
mental health support due to having trouble readjusting to civilian life, having trouble sleeping, or may
be experiencing mood swings, depression, or other
signs of extreme stress.
POLYTRAUMA TRANSITIONAL
REHABILITATION PROGRAM (PTRP)
The Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation
Program (PTRP), formerly the Brain Injury
Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU), is one of four VA outpatient and residential programs. These provide
comprehensive, post-acute cognitive retraining
and community re-entry rehabilitation to TBI
patients.
The program lasts an average
of ten months, but continues as long as the
patient is making significant progress. Most
rehabilitation treatment takes place in a group
setting; however, all patients receive one-on-one
therapy as needed. Palo Alto also provides
housing on an inpatient residential TBI Unit
(MB2A), which helps ease the transition to a more
independent setting.
Care Coordinators work closely with their
assigned patients throughout the rehabilitation
process to ensure they are getting every treatment necessary to make the fullest recovery
possible.
REHABILITATION TOOLS
The Memory Book: One unique tool developed
by the TBI team that helps patients acquire the
skills of normal daily life is a memory book. In the book, patients keep a
schedule and write down reminders for themselves. As one former
patient, Alec Giess, describes it, “You teach yourself something, then the
next day you’ve got to teach it again. And again. And again.” He wore a
rubber band around his wrist to remind him to look in his book.
Driving Simulator: If the patient is cognitively and physically able to
drive, the simulator helps the patient get ready for the road before actually going through on-the-road driver training. As a result of his training,
Lance Corporal Henry Maldonado was able to pass his driving test and
return to his unit at Camp Pendleton.
What is Polytrauma?
The Palo Alto Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center is one of four VA facilities
in the country designed to provide intensive rehabilitative care to veterans and service members who experienced severe injuries (including
brain injuries) to more than one organ system. These Centers were
established by act of Congress in 2005.
Polytrauma care is for veterans and returning service
members with injuries to more than one physical
region or organ system, one of which may be life
threatening, and which results in physical, cognitive,
psychological, or psychosocial impairments and functional disability.
Some examples of Polytrauma include:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Hearing Loss
Amputations
Fractures
Burns
Visual Impairment
Comprehensive, high-quality, and inter-disciplinary
care is provided to patients. Teams of physicians from
every relevant field plan and administer an individually tailored rehabilitation plan to help the patient
recover as much as possible.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Many veterans with Polytrauma injuries also need
mental health support due to having trouble readjusting to civilian life, having trouble sleeping, or may
be experiencing mood swings, depression, or other
signs of extreme stress.
POLYTRAUMA TRANSITIONAL
REHABILITATION PROGRAM (PTRP)
The Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation
Program (PTRP), formerly the Brain Injury
Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU), is one of four VA outpatient and residential programs. These provide
comprehensive, post-acute cognitive retraining
and community re-entry rehabilitation to TBI
patients.
The program lasts an average
of ten months, but continues as long as the
patient is making significant progress. Most
rehabilitation treatment takes place in a group
setting; however, all patients receive one-on-one
therapy as needed. Palo Alto also provides
housing on an inpatient residential TBI Unit
(MB2A), which helps ease the transition to a more
independent setting.
Care Coordinators work closely with their
assigned patients throughout the rehabilitation
process to ensure they are getting every treatment necessary to make the fullest recovery
possible.
REHABILITATION TOOLS
The Memory Book: One unique tool developed
by the TBI team that helps patients acquire the
skills of normal daily life is a memory book. In the book, patients keep a
schedule and write down reminders for themselves. As one former
patient, Alec Giess, describes it, “You teach yourself something, then the
next day you’ve got to teach it again. And again. And again.” He wore a
rubber band around his wrist to remind him to look in his book.
Driving Simulator: If the patient is cognitively and physically able to
drive, the simulator helps the patient get ready for the road before actually going through on-the-road driver training. As a result of his training,
Lance Corporal Henry Maldonado was able to pass his driving test and
return to his unit at Camp Pendleton.
The Situation Today
Historical Perspective
The hospital currently has a former surgical ward turned into a
“Hometel”that has served as a temporary lodging
facility for more than 185,000 veterans since it
opened in 1990. Their ages ranged from 20-100,
and they served in all of America’s conflicts from
WWI to Iraq. They were sailors, Marines, airmen
and soldiers. As America’s defenders, many put
their lives on the line for our country and now
look to the VA to provide top-notch medical care
in a friendly, welcoming environment.
The VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) consists of three
inpatient facilities located at Palo Alto, Menlo
Park, and Livermore plus six outpatient clinics in
San Jose, Capitola, Monterey, Stockton, Modesto,
and Sonora. These facilities provide some of the
world’s finest medical care and cutting-edge
technology.
Many veterans must travel more than 50 miles to
get to the Palo Alto hospital and cannot afford
the high costs of hotels in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is then that
free temporary lodging becomes a real haven for veterans. They come
from as far away as Hawaii and Guam; Reno, Nevada; and Fresno and
Sacramento, California. Some stay for months receiving chemotherapy or radiation for their cancers, others stay for the night to ensure
their timely arrival for tests or surgery the next day. Families and caregivers, too, can stay if beds are available. With concerns about their
health, finances and transportation, the last thing they need to worry
about is where they will sleep.
Veterans deserve better. The “Hometel” is a former temporary surgical
ward designed to last ten years while a new hospital was being built.
Opened in 1989, this building has outlived its usefulness by ten years.
It was designed at a time when patient care did not actively involve
spouses/caregivers. The “Hometel”is a surgical ward construction that
is not conducive to today’s health care philosophy.
The VA Campus is adjacent to both Stanford University and a very active
business district. Affordable hotel rooms are available not readily
available for veterans. Sadly, patient visits will not decrease. Given the
level of attention required by Operation Enduring Freedom/
Operation Iraqi Freedom patients and the aging Korean War and
Vietnam War veterans, patient visits will increase.
VAPAHCS is a teaching hospital, providing a full
range of patient care services, with state-of-theart technology as well as education and research.
Comprehensive health care is provided in areas
of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, rehabilitation,
neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics, and extended care.
VAPAHCS operates nearly 900 beds, including three nursing homes
and a 100-bed homeless domiciliary all to serve more than 85,000
enrolled veterans. VAPAHCS is home to a variety of regional treatment
centers, including a Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, Spinal Cord
Injury Center, a Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center, a Traumatic
Brain Injury Center, the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center, a Geriatric
Research Educational and Clinical Center, a Homeless Veterans
Rehabilitation program, and the National Center for Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD).
VAPAHCS maintains one of the top three research programs in the VA
with extensive research centers in geriatrics, mental health,
Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord regeneration, schizophrenia,
Rehabilitation Research and Development Center, HIV research and a
Health Economics Resource Center. An affiliation with the Stanford
University School of Medicine provides a rich academic environment
including medical training for physicians in virtually all specialties and
subspecialties. Over 1,300 University residents, interns, and students
are trained each year.
The Solution Is Simple
The U.S. Congress has funded a number of capital projects for the Palo Alto VA
to replace seismically deficient buildings and construct state-of-the-art facilities
to treat patients returning from conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. These include
a new 80-bed acute psychiatric inpatient replacement facility; a polytrauma
rehabilitation center; a center to house all ambulatory care programs ranging
from primary care to a broad array of medical and surgical subspecialties; and a
center to help treat patients diagnosed with vision impairments and blindness.
The goal is to develop state-of-the-art treatment facilities where dedicated
practitioners, academicians, and researchers provide cutting edge treatment for
America’s veterans.
VA Palo Alto Health Care System is fortunate to have such a robust tax-funded
building program to care for many generations of veterans. Unfortunately acute
needs still exist and remain unfunded. The Defenders Lodge is one of those
needs. There are limited tax dollars available,so we are appealing to the community to help fund this needed veterans lodge to house patients and families. We
owe our veterans, active duty service members and their families free lodging
during their stay at the Palo Alto VA. THAT IS OUR OBLIGATION AS AMERICANS:
TO ENSURE THAT THESE FAMILIES DO NOT SUFFER A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP
ALONG SIDE A MEDICAL HARDSHIP WHILE SEEKING CARE AT THE PALO ALTO VA.
How to contribute
The sacrifices made by the men and women who will use this facility are signifcant and
life-changing. The VA Hospital leadership views this as a most important project; so
much so that it will be prominently sited near the main hospital entrance. We need your
help in making the Defenders Lodge a reality.
The $12.5 million cost of constructing the new Defenders Lodge will come from funds
raised by and paid through the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation, a notfor-profit organization dedicated to meeting unmet needs of our nation’s defenders.
Why the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation? 100% of all contributions to this
project will be used for the project. Literally every dollar given for the lodge will be used
for the lodge. Contributions are tax deductible. More information about us can be
found at www.pentagonfoundation.org.
All checks should be made payable to “The Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation”
or “PFCU Foundation” and earmarked for the Palo Alto Defenders Lodge. Naming
opportunities are available for the lodge, the indoor atrium, the rooftop gardens, each
guest room, and the family room. All donors will be appropriately recognized.
Contributions can be made online via credit card; however, individuals or corporations
making large contributions and/or who wish to explore naming opportunities should
call (703) 838-1094 for additional information. We will be pleased to personally visit
with you and discuss your giving options in greater detail.
The new Defenders Lodge will be prominently located diagonally across from the main
entrance to the VA Hospital making hospital accessibility easy and welcoming.
Proposed new buildings
at Palo Alto VA
1
Polytrauma
Rehabilitation
Center
2
3
Ambulatory Care/
Research Center
Defenders
Lodge
6
2
1
3
5
4
4
Acute Inpatient
Psychiatric
Replacement
Facility
5
Rehabilitation
R&D Bone and
Joint Center
Phase 1
6
600-Stall Parking
Structure
Defenders Lodge: a privately funded initiative
to meet an unmet need.
Program requirements
The Defenders Lodge will replace an existing “Hometel” and provide a free, safe place
to stay for over 10,000 patients annually who come to the Palo Alto VA Hospital for
treatment from all over the western United States.
UNIT 11
1st Floor Plan
Units: 17 Beds
Gross Area: 15,816 sq. ft.
• 100% ADA compliant
• Wireless laptop network provided
• Catered meals in the dining room provided by hospital
• Covered atrium for year-round enjoyment
• Family room with library, video and computer games
• Laundry facilities
• Rooms designed to accommodate spouse and other caregivers
• Rooftop gardens for guest enjoyment
Total Units: 53 Beds
Total Gross Area: 28,356 sq.ft.
Program requirements
The Defenders Lodge will replace an existing “Hometel” and provide a free, safe place
to stay for over 10,000 patients annually who come to the Palo Alto VA Hospital for
treatment from all over the western United States.
UNIT 11
2nd Floor Plan
Units: 36 Beds
Gross Area: 12,546 sq. ft.
• 100% ADA compliant
• Wireless laptop network provided
• Catered meals in the dining room provided by hospital
• Covered atrium for year-round enjoyment
• Family room with library, video and computer games
• Laundry facilities
• Rooms designed to accommodate spouse and other caregivers
• Rooftop gardens for guest enjoyment
Total Units: 53 Beds
Total Gross Area: 28,356 sq.ft.
defenders Lodge project team
The Defenders Lodge is a $12.5 million, 53-bed hotel to be developed at the Palo Alto
Veterans Administration Hospital. It will be constructed on U.S. government land
donated for that purpose but will be financed entirely through private contributions.
Project Lead/Project Sponsor
The Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation, a national, not-forprofit dedicated to meeting unmet needs of our nation's defenders.
Project Developer
Gilbane Development Company, one of the country’s largest and oldest
(1873) developers.
Project Architect
Ratcliff Architecture, a distinguished architectural firm in the California
Bay Area since the early 1900s.
About The Pentagon Federal
Credit Union Foundation
The Foundation is a nonprofit national charity working to meet the unmet needs of military personnel
and their families in the areas of financial literacy,
housing and the support for wounded. 100% of all
contributions go directly to programs because
administrative costs are paid for by Pentagon
Federal Credit Union.
Major projects of the Foundation have included:
Operation Iraqi Freedom Marine
Sergeant Jason Lilly bought his
first home in Oceanside,
California, with the help of a
Dream Makers grant.
• Developed a last stage hospice at Walter Reed
and provided wireless laptop networks and
computers at major military hospitals.
• Through Dream Makers program provided grants
to enable deployed first time homebuyers to
qualify for over $4 million in mortgages.
• Developed the Military Heroes Program in
January 2008 to provide $162,987 of emergency
grants and daycare to members and veterans
returning from OIF and OEF.
• Created a national initiative, Asset Recovery Kit, to
provide financial counseling and low cost alternatives to military families who use payday loans.
The Foundation’s Hospice Room
at Walter Reed Army Medical
Center, designed by architect
Seiko Obayashi.
2930 Eisenhower Avenue • Alexandria VA 22314
703-838-1094 • www.PentagonFoundation.org
PALO ALTO defenderS LODGe
NAMING OPPORTUNITIES
Building
$ 5 Million
Rooftop Garden
$ 1 Million
Indoor Courtyard
$ 500,000
Family Room
$ 250,000
Dining Room
$ 250,000
Guest Room
$ 25,000 each
PALO ALTO defenderS LODGe
giving pyramid
Naming
Leadership
Major Donor
Benefactor
Patron
Community
& Friends
$ 5,000,000
1 Gift
$5 Million
1 Gift
$1 Million
$ 1,000,000
2 Gifts
$1 Million
10 Gifts
$2.5 Million
20 Gifts
$2 Million
Numerous $1,000 Gifts
totaling $750,000
TOTAL $12,500,000
$ 500,000
$ 250,000
$ 100,000
$ 1 – 99,999
Yes, I want to contribute
Complete and return this card in the enclosed envelope. You may also contribute
online at www.pentagonfoundation.org.
Name
Company (if applicable)
Address 1
Address 2
City, State, Zip
Phone
I would like to contribute at the level listed below:
Naming
$ 5,000,000
Major Donor $ 500,000
Patron
$ 100,000
Leadership
Benefactor
Other
$ 1,000,000
$ 250,000
$
Please fill in payment information on reverse side.
Thank you for your support of Defenders Lodge.
Complete and return this card in the enclosed envelope. You may also contribute
online at www.pentagonfoundation.org.
My check is enclosed. (Payable to Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation)
Please charge my credit card.
MasterCard
Visa
Discover
Account number
Expiration
Signature
Billing address
Address 2
City, State, Zip
Phone
Thank you for your support of Defenders Lodge.
Detach and maintain for your records.
Check #
Credit card
Amount $
Date
The Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Organization. All contributions are tax deductible
to the full extent of the law.
2930 Eisenhower Avenue • Alexandria VA 22314
703-838-1020
www.PentagonFoundation.org