ING DIRECT USA Announces Mariners Saves for Kids Program to Benefit Seattle Children's Hospital

SEATTLE, April 9 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Seattle Mariners return to Safeco Field for their home opener on April 12, ING DIRECT USA announced today 1,000 more reasons to cheer for the Mariners in 2010.  ING DIRECT will donate $1,000 to Seattle Children's Hospital for every game saved, at home and away, by a Mariners pitcher.

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The Mariners right-handed closer David Aardsma is the spokesperson for ING DIRECT's Saves for Kids charitable effort.  In 2009, Aardsma recorded 38 saves for the Mariners.  All donations from Saves for Kids will benefit uncompensated care at Seattle Children's.

"Watching a child's joy experiencing a Mariners victory is priceless," said Arkadi Kuhlmann, President and CEO of ING DIRECT USA. "Every one-thousand dollars we donate to Seattle Children's this year will enable even more children to receive top-quality care, celebrate healthy lives and take in future ballgames."

"Seattle Children's is honored to benefit from the Saves for Kids program.  The hospital is grateful to ING DIRECT and the Seattle Mariners for partnering on this game winning program which will directly help the patients and families we serve, regardless of their ability to pay," said Michele Smith, member - Seattle Children's Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees.

ING DIRECT USA and its Seattle-based brokerage subsidiary, ShareBuilder, are also sponsoring the Mariners "Hit it Here Cafe" at Safeco Field.  Located on the Terrace Club Level above right field, the cafe provides spectacular views of the field and dining.

"The Mariners are proud to welcome ING DIRECT to Safeco Field as one of our new major corporate partners.  We applaud ING DIRECT's commitment to the Pioneer Square neighborhood and Seattle Children's Hospital.  We see this as a great opportunity to join forces to help make a positive and lasting impact on our community," said Bob Aylward, Executive Vice President Business Operations, Seattle Mariners.

Finally, ING DIRECT USA will sponsor Ken Griffey Jr. Backwards Cap Night on July 8, 2010 when the Mariners play the New York Yankees.  A child from Seattle Children's Hospital will help throw out the game's first pitch.      

In May 2009, ShareBuilder from ING DIRECT USA, moved its brokerage headquarters and 300 employees to Seattle's Pioneer Square.  Since then, the brokerage has worked to help revitalize the district.  In late 2009, ShareBuilder sponsored six banners that continue to hang throughout Pioneer Square and showcase the benefits offered by the world-famous district. Last year, ShareBuilder sponsored a give away of 10,000 baseballs with a printed signature from Mariner great Edgar Martinez to fans at a Mariners home game.

About ING DIRECT USA and ShareBuilder

ING DIRECT USA, the nation's largest direct bank and largest thrift, is dedicated to inspiring Americans to become a nation of savers. Since its inception in 2000, more than 7.6 million Americans have entrusted their savings with ING DIRECT, building the bank to $90.3 billion in assets.  ING DIRECT has developed a comprehensive social media Savers Community, including Twitter, Facebook and its We, The Savers blog.  For more information about ING DIRECT call 1-800-ING-DIRECT, and for information about its commitment to financial education visit Planet Orange.  Style note to Editors: ING DIRECT is always capitalized and never referred to as ING.

ShareBuilder Securities Corporation is a leading online brokerage for investors who have long-term financial goals.  ShareBuilder believes everyone deserves a chance to invest in their future no matter their financial situation or place in life.  Whether you are new to investing or already a skilled trader, ShareBuilder makes investing easy.  Customers can open an account with no minimum investment, pay low commissions and enjoy no inactivity fees along the way.  With ShareBuilder, there are two smart ways to invest: Automatic Investing and Real-time Trading. Customers can select one or both to take control of their financial future.  ShareBuilder offers a range of investment products including stocks, exchange-traded funds, mutual funds and retirement solutions.  ShareBuilder Securities Corporation, a subsidiary of ING Bank, fsb, is a registered broker-dealer and member FINRA/SIPC. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Securities products are: Not FDIC insured - Not Bank guaranteed - May lose value

SOURCE ING DIRECT USA