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Citizens Bank partners with District Attorney Lynne Abraham and local organizations for Tools for School program in Philadelphia
More than five tons of school supplies collected for childrenPHILADELPHIA (August 28, 2007) - Citizens Bank held a news conference with Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 to present the collection results of this year’s Tools for School initiative to Philadelphia School District Interim CEO Tom Brady and representatives from local community organizations. In its third year, the program collected more than five tons of school supplies in partnership with Abraham’s foundation, Urban Genesis; the Philadelphia Business Journal; and Power 99 FM. The goal of the Tools for School program is to encourage a positive attitude toward school by helping each student start the year with the necessary supplies to achieve success.
“The start of a new school year can be both an exciting and anxious time for children and their families,” said Peg Marty, Executive Vice President and Director of Retail Banking for Citizens Bank. “Regrettably, not every parent can afford to equip their children with new school supplies. Because our partnership with District Attorney Lynne Abraham, the Philadelphia Business Journal and Power 99 FM was even more successful this year, Citizens Bank was able to double the number of backpacks we are donating.”
The initiative, which ran from July 23 to August 10, collected new school supplies from Citizens Bank customers and colleagues and members of the community. Collection bins were located at each of Citizens Bank’s branches throughout the Philadelphia area. In addition to the collections, Citizens provided 2,000 logo-free backpacks for elementary and middle school students and 250 shopping bags for high school students. More than 60 Citizens Bank volunteers sorted the supplies and stuffed the backpacks and shopping bags at the District Attorney’s Office. The backpacks are being donated this week to more than 20 grassroots agencies which will distribute them to families in need.
“When people and corporations come together, great things can happen,” said Lynne Abraham, Philadelphia District Attorney. “Each year, as the collaboration of this initiative expands, we are able to collect and purchase supplies so that many more of our children are properly equipped to start the new school year. This year, through the efforts of our great partners, I am pleased to say that we will be helping thousands of students in Philadelphia.”
Citizens Bank also purchased an additional 500 backpack for Delaware County and teamed up with the Delaware County Council and the Delaware County Daily Times and Sunday Times. City Team Ministries, Children and Youth Services of Delaware County and Community Action Agency of Delaware County each received backpacks to distribute to children associated with those non-profit agencies.
About Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania
Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania is a $34 billion state-chartered bank with dual headquarters in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It has approximately 400 branches, more than 660 ATMs throughout Pennsylvania. It also operates 13 retail branches and 26 ATMs in southern New Jersey and a commercial loan office in Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $161 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. Citizens has more than 1,600 branches, approximately 3,100 ATMs and more than 25,000 employees. It has a13-state retail branch network plus non-branch retail and commercial offices in about 40 states. Citizens is the eighth-largest commercial banking company in the United States ranked by deposits and ninth in assets as of September 30, 2006. Citizens is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).
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