05/18/2019

Citizens Bank and Military Warriors Support Foundation Present Home to Military Veteran

Mortgage-free home in Cleveland Heights presented to Pepinrivera family during key ceremony today

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As part of its ongoing commitment to give back to the communities it serves, Citizens Bank has again partnered with Military Warriors Support Foundation (MWSF) to donate a newly renovated, mortgage-free home to a deserving veteran and his family.

The Cleveland Heights home – renovated by Citizens Bank colleagues and donated by the bank to Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Homes4WoundedHeroes program – was presented today to Retired Sergeant First Class Charlie Pepinrivera, who honorably served his country in Kuwait, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. Inspired by his desire to make a difference and defend his country, Charlie enlisted in the Puerto Rico National Guard in 1993 and he entered active service in 1998. For his service, Charlie has received numerous awards and commendations including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.

“We are proud to honor Charlie’s brave service by providing him with a home that has been refurbished with pride and great care,” said Brad Conner, vice chairman and head of Consumer Banking, Citizens Bank. “Our colleagues are committed to supporting the communities where we live and work, and we are truly excited to have helped renovate this home for Charlie and his family.”

“It is a privilege and an honor to award a mortgage-free home to Charlie and his family,” said Kathy Feeney, Executive Advisor of Housing Initiatives with Military Warriors Support Foundation. “This amazing opportunity doesn’t get to happen by itself. Together, with donors like Citizens Bank, we are given the opportunity to serve those who have served for us.”

Charlie and his wife Maribel and their 6 children: Joseph, Mariela, Joyce, Gabriel, Joimar and Jonnel will be relocating from San Antonio, Texas to be closer to family in Cleveland. During their time in Texas, the Pepinrivera family has been very active in their community and has volunteered their efforts to feed the homeless; provide clothing and school materials for children; and spread happiness and cheer to others through inspiring music. They look forward to playing an active role in their new community.

More than 100 Citizens Bank colleagues have donated more than 2000 hours volunteering on various projects to improve the house. Citizens Bank colleagues donated their time and talents, as well as items for the home and gift cards for various stores in the area.

This donation represents a long-term commitment the bank has made to give back to the communities it serves through its Citizens Helping Citizens initiative. Citizens Helping Citizens Provide Shelter is one component of this program. During the past five years, Citizens Bank partnered with Military Warriors Support Foundation to donate homes to military families in New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Michigan.

Since 2010, Military Warriors Support Foundation has awarded over 840 mortgage-free homes through their Homes4WoundedHeroes program, and has assisted combat wounded veterans, Gold Star Spouses and their families in paying off over $20 million in debt through their family and financial mentorship.

About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $161.3 billion in assets as of March 31, 2019. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens 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 customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a 24/7 customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 2,900 ATMs and approximately 1,100 branches in 11 states in the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. 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 rate products, and asset finance. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on TwitterLinkedIn or Facebook.

About Military Warriors Support Foundation

Military Warriors Support Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, founded by LTG. Leroy Sisco (Ret), in 2007. Their mission is to provide support and programs that facilitate a smooth and successful transition for our nation’s combat wounded military heroes, Gold Star Spouses and their families. Their programs focus on housing and homeownership, recreational activities, transportation assistance and leadership development. Through their programs, they award mortgage-free homes and payment-free vehicles to combat wounded military heroes and unmarried Gold Star Spouses. In addition to the home or vehicle, the families receive family and financial mentoring. For more information, visit MilitaryWarriors.org, Facebook,Twitter, Instagram.

CFG-CNS

CFG-CORP

Rory Sheehan (Citizens)

781 655 3931

[email protected]

Ashley Clyne (Military Warriors)

817.320.6624

[email protected]

Source: Citizens Bank