Astoria Federal Savings' 12th Annual "Kids Tools" Drive Delivers School Supplies to Children In Need

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