Astoria Federal Savings Donates $250,000 to American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Astoria Federal Savings announced today it will make a $250,000 corporate donation to the American Red Cross to support disaster relief efforts along the Gulf Coast of the United States and will match two-for-one every Dollar donated by any of its 2,100 employees or directors to the American Red Cross, as well as accept donations from its customers and the general public at any Astoria Federal branch throughout Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester.

"This support is needed to help those deeply impacted by the worst natural disaster in our country's history," said Astoria Federal Chairman, President and CEO George L. Engelke, Jr. "It is important that we all do what we can to make a difference in the lives of people who desperately need our help."

As of this morning, more than 142,000 evacuees are being sheltered by the American Red Cross in 485 Red Cross shelters across 18 states from Alabama to Virginia, including the mass sheltering operation at the Houston Astrodome. In addition, more than 270 Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) are now in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama working to distribute food and supplies to survivors.

Since the disaster occurred, more than 3.3 million hot meals and more than 3.9 million snacks have been served to survivors of Hurricane Katrina; more than 618,000 and 466,000, respectively, in the last 24 hours. Lastly, the American Red Cross is working with government and health services partners to develop health strategies and preventative measures to help the public and relief workers cope with the serious public health emergency.

To donate to the American Red Cross, please stop by any one of Astoria Federal's neighborhood branches throughout Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester, or visit http://www.redcross.org/.

About Astoria Federal Savings

Astoria Federal Savings and Loan Association is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Astoria Financial Corporation . With assets of $22.8 billion, Astoria Financial Corp. is the sixth largest thrift institution in the United States. Established in 1888, Astoria Federal is the largest thrift depository headquartered in New York with deposits of $12.6 billion and embraces its philosophy of putting people first by providing the customers and local communities it serves with quality financial products and services through 86 convenient banking office locations and multiple delivery channels, including its website, http://www.astoriafederal.com/. Astoria commands the fourth largest deposit market share in the attractive Long Island market, which includes Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties with a population exceeding that of 39 individual states. Astoria originates mortgage loans through its banking offices and loan production offices in New York, an extensive broker network in 23 states, primarily on the East Coast and in the District of Columbia, and through correspondent relationships in 44 states and in the District of Columbia.