JPMorgan Chase is celebrating veterans who have served the country by donating to Veterans Affairs hospitals across the tri-state area, including in New York City.

Luis Penichet served in the Marine Corps before he became banker. He says after he dedicated his life to serving, he's now dedicated to serving those who have served.

“I think of a lot of the veterans here as being mentors, teachers, folks that laid the foundation for what I've been able to accomplish and enjoy,” he says.

To show his appreciation for those mentors, Penichet made sure that James J. Peters VA Medical Center was the first stop on JPMorgan Chase's route to deliver basic needs ahead of Veterans Day. The Bronx is just one of five facilities receiving these donations. Employees of the firm collected more than 1,000 toiletry items and will be serving all five boroughs, New Jersey, Connecticut and Long Island.

“You think about what's important this Friday, Veterans Day and it's remembering everything that we have and have been able to enjoy because of the folks here,” Penichet says.

John O'Neill is a veteran at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center who served for 29 years. He says while he lives with depression and anxiety, he's motivated knowing that there are people like Penichet who haven't forgotten his sacrifices.

“We get to acknowledge that there are still people out there that still notice us. They're here to notice and support us. So, it makes us feel great,” he says.

Penichet says he'll be bringing another truck load of donations to the West Haven VA Medical Center on Thursday.

He says veterans across the tri-state area will benefit from these donations by the end of the week.