Wilmington, DE (July 23, 2004) - Citizens Bank announced today that it is holding a major homecoming celebration at its Philadelphia headquarters on Friday, July 23, 2004 for 14 soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division Forward Support Battalion (FSB). The soldiers, stationed at Fort Drum, New York, were "adopted" by Citizens Bank employees during their ten-month mission in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Afghanistan. During the celebration, the soldiers will be presented with a gigantic thank-you card and a special luncheon will be held to celebrate their dedication, hard work and service to our country.
"We are delighted to be honoring some of the men and women who have served our country so well," said Stephen D. Steinour, Chairman & CEO of Citizens Bank. "We wanted to show our appreciation in some small way. In addition, Citizens Bank is happy to support our colleague Ellen Davis, and her family. Ellen introduced us to this battalion and helped make this volunteer effort happen."
The 10th Mountain Division was deployed to Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan, exactly one year ago, from July 23, 2003 to May 12, 2004 providing food, water, fuel, ammunition and supplies to the Coalition Task Force. Shortly after their deployment, Citizens Bank employee Ellen Davis began her own mission to help her son, Sgt. Joel Davis and the hundreds of other soldiers serving in the platoon.
Davis, who is from Northeast Philadelphia and works in the Citizens Bank Philadelphia Business Center, rallied her colleagues and raised enough money to provide an enormous amount of supplies. During their mission, the colleagues sent the 10th Mountain Division 200 gray sweatshirts with their logo imprinted, 350 prepaid phone cards, Tastykakes and cookies, 300 disposable cameras, Citizens Bank pocket calendars, other food supplies and holiday wishes. They even made sure the small comfort items like lip balm, wet wipes and hand cream were in abundant supply. In addition, 500 yellow ribbons were distributed and placed on workstations throughout offices, workstations and branches.
"This was not only a wonderful way to support our troops but it has been a morale builder for Citizens Bank and our colleagues," said Kevin McFarlane, Senior Vice President for Business Banking for Citizens Bank.
In addition to the thank-you card, three dozen employees gathered at Citizens Bank's Philadelphia headquarters located at 2001 Market Street, to greet the soldiers and to participate in a special luncheon. The members of the 10th Mountain Division are also attending tonight's Phillies-Cubs game at Citizens Bank Park as part of the homecoming celebration.
"This is such an unbelievable and thoughtful homecoming celebration," said Sgt. Joel Davis, of the 10th Mountain Division FSB. "It was such a great feeling to be so far away, but know that so many people back home appreciated our efforts and the work of the military."
In February 2003, Citizens Bank announced a new military policy to offer support to employees and reservists activated during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The new policy includes: 1) paying the difference between employees' Citizens pay and military pay for the duration of the leave; 2) the continuance of medical, dental and vision for the duration of the leave; 3) life insurance coverage for up to 12 months; and 4) a comparable job upon return. In addition, Citizens also grants a paid leave of absence for five consecutive days to employees so they can spend time with a family member prior to military deployment. If travel is necessary, Citizens will also pay a portion of their travel expenses. Ellen Davis is one of several colleagues that took advantage of the military leave policy.
"It is wonderful to work for a company that is so supportive not only of the troops who are fighting for democracy but of their loved ones here at home," said Ellen Davis, Relationship Assistant for Citizens Bank. "My son and his entire division benefited from our support, our prayers, and the supplies we sent to Afghanistan."
Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania is a $27.3 billion state-chartered bank with dual headquarters in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It has more than 390 branches, more than 630 ATMs and a convenient network of commercial banking offices throughout Pennsylvania. It also operates eight retail branches and eight ATMs in southern New Jersey. It has approximately 5,300 employees.