ING DIRECT USA to Build New Playground for Lafayette Elementary School

SEATTLE, Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With the first day of school fast approaching, ING DIRECT USA, the nation's largest direct bank, is sending 200 of its ING DIRECT Investing Associates  to transform the grounds of Lafayette Elementary School on Thursday, August 25. The brokerage's high energy team will build and assemble a playground that will serve the students of Lafayette Elementary as well as the surrounding community.

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The day-long community service event is part of ING DIRECT's fifth annual Orange Days of Giving and is just one of fifteen volunteer projects to be completed entirely by ING DIRECT Associates nationwide.

"At ING DIRECT we value the impact schools have on shaping our youth and recognize that many of life's lessons occur on the playground during constructive, safe play," said Dan Greenshields, President of ING DIRECT Investing.  "During this year's Orange Days of Giving, our Associates are proud to have the opportunity to build a play area that will bring joy to so many children now and for years to come."

The projects planned for Lafayette Elementary School include:

• Playground equipment assembly and installation;
• Landscaping and beautification of the grounds;
• Interior and exterior painting; and
• A playground mural.

ING DIRECT Investing Associates have volunteered over 8,000 hours of community service through Orange Days of Giving on community enhancement and renovation projects at Wing Luke Elementary School, Denny Park, and the Duwamish Long House.

ING DIRECT's Orange Days of Giving was created in 2007 as an opportunity for ING DIRECT Associates to give back to the Communities in which they work and live and to share their time and talents. All projects are organized and executed entirely by Associate committees from various departments throughout the Bank who seek out impactful projects within the community.  To date, ING DIRECT Associates throughout the East Coast, Midwest and West Coast locations are proud to have dedicated more than 64,000 hours during the Orange Days of Giving toward charitable causes that support the bank's mission of providing economic empowerment, financial education and life skills.

About Lafayette Elementary School

First established in 1893 as an eight room schoolhouse and known by many different names over the years, the original Lafayette Elementary School was condemned and demolished after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck in 1949.  The building that stands today, built in 1950, is home to over 530 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.  Lafayette has a strong, respected academic program, with high student achievement and an emphasis on student citizenship.  

About ING DIRECT USA

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 nearly $91.4 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(SM).  

ING DIRECT Investing Inc., a part of ING DIRECT USA, is a leading online brokerage for investors who have long-term financial goals and want to say goodbye to investing complexity. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, ING DIRECT Investing Inc. has what Americans need to help secure their financial future without sacrificing their lives to the stock market. No minimum balance required when you open an account and pay low commissions when investing. Trade when you want, any amount you want, and what you want -- stocks, exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, options and retirement solutions.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

ShareBuilder is a service of ING DIRECT Investing, Inc. Securities products are offered by ING DIRECT Investing, Inc., a registered broker-dealer and member FINRA/SIPC. ING DIRECT Investing is a subsidiary of ING Bank, fsb. 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 CONTACT:
Brenda Dean, ING DIRECT USA
(302) 255-3696
[email protected]

SOURCE ING DIRECT USA