ING DIRECT Hockey All-Stars to Face-Off Against Philadelphia Flyers Alumni

WILMINGTON, Del., Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Savers are suiting up and getting ready to hit the ice for a great cause.  On Saturday, January 22, the ING DIRECT All-Stars will face-off against the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni for the third annual Hockey Challenge.  Proceeds from the game will benefit Junior Achievement of Delaware.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100407/NY82932LOGO-b)

As title sponsor of the Junior Achievement Hockey Challenge, Associates from ING DIRECT will skate against Flyers' legendary hockey heroes Joe Watson, Bob Kelly, Brian Propp, Frank Bialowas and others during a family-friendly game at the University of Delaware's Fred Rust Ice Arena.  The puck drops at 5:30 P.M. ET. Tickets can be purchased in advance online for $10 through ticketmaster.com, at the Bob Carpenter Center Box Office or through Junior Achievement.

"Hockey and financial education require similar discipline.  The earlier children start training and learning, the better prepared they'll be on the ice and with their money.  ING DIRECT is proud to partner with Junior Achievement of Delaware and the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni to create the perfect 'hat trick' for helping kids reach their financial goals," said Jim Kelly, Chief Operating Officer for ING DIRECT USA and the team's starting right wing.

"I look forward to playing the ING DIRECT All-Stars every year to raise money for Junior Achievement of Delaware.  It's a great game and an even better cause.  Kids today need to be financially literate and business savvy from an early age and that's exactly what Junior Achievement does," said Joe Watson, former Philadelphia Flyer (1967-1978) and two-time Stanley Cup winner.

The Hockey Challenge will also include:

• A special autograph session with Brian Propp, Philadelphia Flyer Alumni (1979 - 1989);

• A silent auction featuring a variety of fan items: autographed memorabilia by Philadelphia athletes, tickets to Philadelphia sporting events and ING DIRECT gear; and

• A "Closest to the Puck" contest.  All individuals who purchase an orange ING DIRECT stress ball will have the chance to throw the ball on the ice during intermission.  Closest stress balls to the puck will win one of several great prizes from ING DIRECT.

The family fun events, hosted by ING DIRECT, will help raise additional support for Junior Achievement of Delaware.  For more information, visit jadelaware.org/hockey_challenge.html.

About ING DIRECT USA

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 $91.3 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.

About Junior Achievement of Delaware, Inc.

Junior Achievement of Delaware is dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy.  Junior Achievement programs prepare students in kindergarten through twelfth grade for the real world by engaging them around the topics of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial education through hands-on experiential learning.  For more information, visit http://jadelaware.org.

SOURCE ING DIRECT USA