Seattle's Newest Business to Revitalize the City's Oldest Parks

Seattle-Based Brokerage Will Re-Landscape, Beautify Denny And Cascade Parks

SEATTLE, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 10, two of Seattle's oldest parks will be getting a much-needed revitalization thanks to Pioneer Square's newest business. Hundreds of employees from ShareBuilder, ING DIRECT's online brokerage firm, will spend the day at Denny Park and Cascade Park as part of the company's second annual "Orange Days of Giving."

"As the new kid on the block, we're eager to hit the streets and make a positive impact on Seattle," said Dan Greenshields, President of ShareBuilder. "Getting our hands dirty to revitalize these two historic parks will protect the environment and help ensure Seattle remains a great place to live, work and raise a family."

Established in 1883 and 1926 respectively, Denny and Cascade Park are two of Seattle oldest parks. Denny Park lies on the central business district's northern fringe and serves as the home for the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation headquarters. Cascade Park sits adjacent to the Cascade People's Center and hosts a weekly Farmer's Market during the summer months. To maintain two of Seattle's environmental treasures, ShareBuilder from ING DIRECT will work with the Seattle Parks Department to:

• Remove old plants and planting new ones;
• Clean flower beds;
• Mulch, rake and beautify the grounds; and
• Create a dry river rock stream
  

"Orange Days of Giving" was created and organized entirely by employee committees from various departments throughout ING DIRECT. Each year, the committees are tasked with developing unique venues and programs through which employees can give back their time and talent to the community. During the actual "giving days" employees in other ING DIRECT locations pitch in to take over job responsibilities for off site participants.

Last year, as part of its "Orange Days of Giving," ShareBuilder associates helped the Duwamish Tribe, a native of Seattle; complete their Longhouse and Cultural Center - the tribe's focal culture, language and educational resource center.

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES:

WHO:

Dan Greenshields, President of ShareBuilder, company executives and associates.

WHAT:

ShareBuilder will revitalize two of Seattle's oldest parks. The company's nationwide "Orange Days of Giving" allows employees to donate their time and efforts to help improve the local community.

Denny and Cascade Park enhancements include:

• Removing old plants and planting new ones
• Cleaning flower beds
• Mulching, raking and beautifying the grounds
• Creating a dry river rock stream
• Other various landscaping projects
  

WHERE:

• Denny Park, 100 Dexter Ave. North, Seattle, WA 98134
• Cascade Park, 333 Pontius Ave. North, Seattle, WA 98134
  

WHEN:

Thursday, September 10, 2009; 10:00AM - 12:00PM and 1:00PM - 3:00PM PDT.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:

• ShareBuilder President and associates revitalizing city parks
  

About ING DIRECT and ShareBuilder

ING DIRECT, 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 7.7 million Americans have entrusted their savings with ING DIRECT, building the bank to $90.1 billion in assets. For more information about ING DIRECT visit www.ingdirect.com and for information on its financial education website visit www.orangekids.com or call 1-800-ING-DIRECT.

ShareBuilder Securities Corporation is an online brokerage designed for automatic, long-term investing. The company's vision is to increase the personal investing rate of the average American by helping individuals build and manage wealth over the long term. Customers pay low commissions on individual transactions, have no account minimum and can choose from three pricing programs. For more information about ShareBuilder, please visit www.sharebuilder.com or www.ingdirect.com. ShareBuilder offers investment products including stocks, exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds. ShareBuilder Securities Corporation, a subsidiary of ING Bank, fsb, is a registered broker-dealer and member FINRA/SIPC.

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

Style note to Editors: ING DIRECT is always capitalized and never referred to as ING.

    MEDIA CONTACTS
    Jeff Mirabello
    (302) 467-6034
    jmirabello@ingdirect.com

    Dan Branley
    (206) 914-1231
    dbranley@launchcmus.com

SOURCE ShareBuilder; ING DIRECT