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Citizens Bank and its partners Greater Media and Cradles to Crayons collecting school supplies for Massachusetts children in need
Initiative to help more than 3,000 children in Mass. and nearly 20,000 in New EnglandBOSTON (July 11, 2008) - For the third consecutive year, Citizens Bank is collecting new school supplies for low-income children in Massachusetts. Beginning July 14, pencils, pens, notebooks and other supplies can be donated at any Citizens Bank branch in the state through August 2. This year’s Gear for Grades program is supported by Greater Media and Cradles to Crayons.
Formerly known as “Tools for School,” the program has helped nearly 5,000 children in Massachusetts return to school with the essential supplies they need to succeed. This year, more than 3,000 backpacks filled with new school supplies will be donated to children low-income children throughout the state.
“Citizens Bank is proud of the Gear for Grades program and the positive impact it has had on local school children and their parents,” said Robert E. Smyth, president, Citizens Bank, Massachusetts. “We are delighted to partner with Greater Media and Cradles to Crayons on this program and thank our customers and the public in advance for supporting this worthwhile cause that benefits so many children in need.”
Cradles to Crayons, a nonprofit organization providing essential everyday supplies to low-income and homeless children, will distribute the backpacks to children in need across Massachusetts. Greater Media is encouraging its listeners to donate supplies with public service announcement s on its five radio stations: WROR 105.7; Country 102.5 WKLB; 96.9 FM TALK; Magic 106.7; and WBOS 92.9.
“For many families, purchasing the back to school basics is out of reach,” said Lynn Margherio, Founder and CEO of Cradles to Crayons. “We are thankful to Citizens Bank and Greater Media, and their customers and listeners for sending children living in poverty and low-income situations back to school with the tools they need to succeed and the knowledge that people care about their academic success.”
“As a company committed to supporting local communities, we are thrilled to once again lend our support to Citizens Bank’s Gear for Grades program,” said Peter H. Smyth, President and CEO of Greater Media. “This program is a wonderful opportunity to engage our listeners in the effort to prepare children for a year of learning by donating essential supplies such as notebooks and pencils that will mean so much to the children who receive them.”
Nearly 20,000 backpacks will be distributed by Citizens throughout New England as part of this years “Gear for Grades” program.
About Citizens Bank
Citizens Bank is a division of RBS Citizens, N.A., operating its seven-state branch network in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. It has 258 branches and 617 ATMs in Massachusetts.
RBS Citizens, N.A. is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $160 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. CFG’s two bank subsidiaries are RBS Citizens, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. They operate a 13-state branch network under the Citizens Bank brand in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, and the Charter One brand in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. CFG has non-branch retail and commercial offices in about 40 states. It is one of the 10 largest commercial banking companies in the United States ranked by assets and deposits. CFG is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).
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