07/22/2014
Orchard House named Champion in Action in Strengthening Communities category
Citizens Bank and WTNH News 8 provide $35,000 funding, PR, and volunteer support
Branford, CT (July 22, 2014) – Citizens Bank and WTNH News 8 today announced Orchard House Medical Adult Day Center as a 2014 Champion in Action® in the category of strengthening communities. Orchard House will receive $35,000 in unrestricted funding, media coverage, and extensive promotional and volunteer support for its outstanding work.
Orchard House is an organization dedicated to helping seniors living along the Connecticut Shoreline and in the Greater New Haven area to live independently. Offering adult day programming six days a week, the Orchard House aims to enhance quality of life for its clients by providing professional services in a friendly environment that promotes friendship and independence. Additionally, Orchard House provides respite services, financial assistance and educational support to family caregivers. The contribution will be used to serve additional clients in the Greater New Haven area – subsidizing services for low-to-moderate income adults who cannot afford Orchard House program expenses out-of-pocket, or do not qualify for state-funded services; as well as to expand medical transportation services to clients throughout the region.
"Orchard House has made a tremendous impact in the community through its care for our senior citizens and their families. Citizens is proud to support their efforts with this award so they may continue serving Connecticut’s residents, and provide additional programs and services that will expand their reach in our communities," said Lisa Maass, Senior Vice President of Corporate Banking at Citizens Bank.
Champions in Action is part of Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities, the bank’s program designed to enhance quality of life and economic vitality in local communities. It provides support for small nonprofit organizations to recognize their contributions to communities throughout Connecticut.
"WTNH News 8 is proud to present this award to Orchard House for their diligence in providing care for the elderly in our community," said Kierstin Pupkowski, Community Affairs Director for WTNH News 8. "We hope that with this award they will continue to create programs and provide services that will help even more seniors in Connecticut to live independently."
To date, the program has awarded 43 nonprofits more than $1.1 million in grants and promotional support in Connecticut.
"Orchard House is committed to providing dignified care to older adults, including those with a dementia related disorder. The respite and support given to family caregivers is vital when caring for an aging loved one and helps to improve the overall quality of life. Thanks to Citizens Bank and the Champions in Action award, Orchard House can now reach more older adults in need of care who wouldn't otherwise know what resources are available to them," said Stephanie Evans-Ariker, Executive Director of Orchard House.
As a Champion in Action, Orchard House will receive:
- A $35,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from Citizens Bank;
- Media coverage from WTNH News 8, including public service announcements over the course of six months;
- Volunteer support from Citizens;
- The opportunity for the organization’s executive director to participate in a “President-to-President” mentorship with Citizens Bank’s Lisa Maass;
- Extensive public relations support;
- Promotional support highlighting the Champion in Action on all Citizens Bank branch DCN screens and on its ATMs;
- Exposure on both Citizens Bank and WTNH News 8’s websites.
For more information about the Citizens Bank Champions in Action program, visit
www.citizensbank.com/community/champions or
www.turnto10.com/category/257259/champions-in-action.
About Citizens Financial Group Inc.
Citizens Financial Group Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $126.9 billion in assets as of March 31, 2014. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, the company offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its retail customers "bank better" with mobile and online banking, a 24/7 customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,100 ATMs and approximately 1,200 Citizens Bank and Charter One branches in 11 states in the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. Citizens also provides mortgage lending, auto lending, student lending and commercial banking services in selective markets nationwide. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers corporate, institutional and not-for-profit clients a full range of wholesale banking products and services including lending and deposits, capital markets, treasury services, foreign exchange and interest hedging, leasing and asset finance, specialty finance and trade finance.
Citizens operates via subsidiaries Citizens Bank, N.A., and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. Additional information about Citizens and its full line of products and services can be found at www.citizensbank.com.
About WTNH News 8
WTNH News 8 continues to set the standard for news coverage excellence in Connecticut. News 8 provides news, weather and information around the clock through its television newscasts, WTNH.com website, and digital and mobile platforms. WTNH News 8, an ABC affiliate, and WCTX MyTV9, a My Network affiliate, serve more than 871,000* households.
*Estimate according to Connecticut Nielsen Station Index (NSI).
