LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.,
Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
Astoria Federal Savings completed its 12th annual Kids Tools for
School collection drive in August, one of its most successful
drives ever. Astoria Federal employees, customers and other members
of the community dropped off cash donations and brand new school
supplies at their local branches, and also at Astoria Federal's
corporate offices to help prepare children for the start of school.
With community support from throughout its network of branches
in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Brooklyn, and Westchester, Astoria Federal Savings was able
to meet the growing need for supplies, collecting more than a ton
of supplies to reach thousands of children. Astoria Federal is
committed to its philosophy of "Putting people first" in the
neighborhoods it serves and matched $10,000 in cash donations to purchase backpacks
and supplies in bulk.
Supplies were distributed to more than 60 recipient
organizations representing human service agencies, schools,
shelters and other groups serving children across the region. On
Sept. 1, nearly 50 of those
organizations visited the Farmingdale warehouse of Village Office
Supply, a partner in the drive which helped to transport and sort
hundreds of boxes of donated supplies. Local Girl Scouts from
Nassau and Suffolk County troops assisted with the
packing, ensuring that children had the items in time for the start
of school. Across Long Island, the
Girl Scouts also donated to the drive, earning a special Kids
Tools for School uniform patch.
"This program is about much more than pencils, backpacks and
notebooks. It's about putting children on a level playing field
with the rest of their classmates," said Astoria Federal Savings'
Senior VP/Director of Marketing Brian
Edwards. "This was a difficult year for many local families,
and some of those who participated in the program never imagined
they would need this kind of help. The community stepped up to help
others less fortunate. The children were so excited to have new
supplies, and their families were extremely grateful. We thank
everyone who supported the drive, especially Bill Entwistle from Village Office Supply and
his team, who provided outstanding support."
The Kids Tools for School collection drive is part of
Astoria Federal's Education First initiative, which includes
the Teach Children to Save Essay Contest and School Outreach
Program, the Lights, Camera, Save video contest,
Student Savers and Bank-at-School programs, as well
as The First Home Club(SM) to promote homeownership. These
programs encourage lifelong learning in the communities Astoria
Federal serves.
Astoria Financial Corporation (NYSE: AF), with assets of
$17.1 billion, is the holding company
for Astoria Federal Savings and Loan Association. Established
in 1888, Astoria Federal, with deposits in New York totaling $11.2
billion, is the largest thrift depository in New York and embraces its philosophy of
"Putting people first" by providing the customers and local
communities it serves with quality financial products and services
through 85 convenient banking office locations and multiple
delivery channels, including its enhanced website,
www.astoriafederal.com. Astoria Federal commands the fourth
largest deposit market share in the attractive Long Island market, which includes
Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties with a population exceeding
that of 38 individual states. Astoria Federal originates
mortgage loans through its banking and loan production offices in
New York, an extensive broker
network covering fourteen states, primarily along the East Coast,
and the District of Columbia, and
through correspondent relationships covering fifteen states and the
District of Columbia.
SOURCE Astoria Federal Savings