NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release
Walden
Federal
12
Main St
Walden,
NY 12586
845/778/2171
Thomas
Gibney, President
Walden Federal
Employees Make a Difference through Big Brothers Big Sisters
April 21, 2008, Walden, NY – For the
last three years, Walden Federal has been involved with Big Brothers Big
Sisters (BBBS), which is the oldest youth
mentoring organization in the United States, mentoring
children ages 6 through 18, in communities
across the country.
Walden Federal employees participate in
“School Based Mentoring” where they go to a local school for one hour per week
and talk, play games or do homework with their “little.” The bank
supports the program and gives the volunteer employees the time to participate
in this program.
“My ‘little’ and I are attached to each
other,” stated Mike Snyder, Accounting Manager, Walden Federal. “I have been working with him for three years
and I see changes in him! Now he is more
outgoing, talks about his friends and is doing better in school.”
Some employees also participate in
Community Based Mentoring that means they spend time with the “littles” outside
of the one hour a week at their school.
“My ‘little’ and I visited the Town of
New Paltz and enjoyed a day browsing the shops along Main Street,” explains
Arlene Slader, Commercial Loan Manager, Walden Federal. “Our visit got us talking about college and
she realized that she would love to go to SUNY New Paltz. She’s a wonderful kid and I am thrilled to
make a difference in her life.”
Each year Walden Federal sponsors the
BBBS annual Bowl for Kids Sake Charity event. Last year Walden Federal
had 5 teams of five bowlers each and collected over $2,000. Team members
are often employees, friends/family and members of the Bank’s Board of
Directors.
This year’s bowling event was held on
March 30th at Bowling Time Lanes in Newburgh and the bank raised over $2,000.
It is common for team members to bring their “little” to the event and everyone
has a wonderful time.
“I see a sparkle in my ‘little’s’ eye
when we get together to bake or she plays with my dogs,” explains Diane
Kosteczko, Commercial Loan Secretary, Walden Federal. “I love this program! Her confidence has grown and I am delighted
to see her happy and smiling.”
Last
year Walden Federal employees also donated their time to assist in the BBBS
annual wrapping event at the Newburgh Mall. Volunteers wrap gifts for Mall
patrons and all of the money collected goes to BBBS.
The
following Walden Federal employees are “Bigs” –
Amy
Hagerty, HR Director
Amy
Sherwood, Branch Administrator/Operations Manager
Arlene
Slader, Commercial Loan Manager
Diane
Kosteczko, Commercial Loan Secretary
Mike
Snyder, Financial Administrator
Jennifer
Cuevas, Customer Service Representative
Melyssa
Yozzo, Teller
Dr.
Kimball – Director Emeritus
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest
youth mentoring organization in the United States. Big Brothers Big Sisters
mentors children, ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission is to
help children reach their potential through professionally supported,
one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on
youth. The organization reports that
children who participate in the program are:
52% less
likely to skip school
46% less
likely to begin using illegal drugs
More likely to
get along with their families and peers
Walden Federal maintains six
full-service branches including Walden, Montgomery, Otisville, Newburgh, inside
the Wal-Mart Super Center in Monroe and inside the ShopRite in Monroe. Walden Federal’s Mortgage and Loan Center is
located at 74 West Main St, Walden and its Commercial Loan Annex is located at
8 Main St., Walden.
The bank is part of the Allpoint ATM
network, giving its customers access to their money at 32,000 surcharge-free
ATMs located nationwide and in Europe.
Walden Federal continues to prosper and
grow as it enters its 89th year of service to the community. For more information, visit www.WaldenFederal.com
or call 845-778-2171.
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