Astoria Federal Savings Launches 7th Annual 'Kids Tools for School' Collection Drive August 1-31

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking to make a difference in the lives of children who need our help? Join Astoria Federal Savings' 7th Annual Kids Tools for School(TM) collection drive to be held in every neighborhood Astoria Federal branch throughout Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester from August 1 to 31, 2005. The community program puts new school supplies in the hands of those children least able to afford them, before school starts in September.

"The worst experience any child can have is to arrive at school on the first day without pencil and paper. It hurts their self-esteem, and as a result some children skip the first week of school," said Astoria Federal Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing Brian Edwards.

To make it easy for people to get involved, Edwards said, "We'll accept new school supplies and cash donations in any of our neighborhood branches in Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester. Plus, we'll match up to $10,000 in donations and buy supplies in bulk. The public will also be able to donate at a variety of community events we're holding in August. Many of the children who will benefit from the program are living in homeless shelters or have other special needs. It's a very simple way to make a big difference in the lives of children who really need our help."

According to Suffolk County Department of Social Services Department Spokesman Dennis Nowak, some of the supplies will be distributed to homeless families in the county (many whom are single-parent families) most in need.

"In Suffolk alone, there are currently 1,400 homeless individuals needing our help of which 400 are school-aged children (K-12). These families live in our shelters and parents have very few resources to provide their children with school supplies," Nowak said. "We're thrilled to be involved because the amount of supplies that we receive for our children from your customers is overwhelming. These new school supplies are essential in helping homeless children start off the school year right and put them on equal footing with their peers, because they are not left wanting when the teacher hands out the list of supplies needed."

To support the program, Astoria Federal is holding a variety of events in August with the support of the local business community:

1. Saturday, August 6, 2005 at 5 p.m. Cole Bros. Circus and B-103 Radio Station will help support the Kids Tools for School Collection Drive at the Kmart Shopping Center, 1075 Middle Country Road in Middle Island, NY. New school supply donations will be accepted by the staff. 2. Friday, August 12, 2005 at 8 p.m. Cole Bros. Circus and B-103 Radio Station will help support the Kids Tools for School Collection Drive at the Smith Haven Mall at Middle Country Road (Route 25) and Nesconset Highway (Route 347) in Lake Grove, NY. New school supply donations will be accepted by the staff. 3. Tuesday, August 23, 2005 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Kids Tools for School Community Collections at Astoria Federal's Long Island City branch located at 31-24 Ditmars Boulevard, its Whitestone branch located at 153-17 Cross Island Parkway and in Park Slope, Brooklyn at 110 Seventh Avenue. These festive celebrations are designed to raise awareness for the community cause. 4. Sunday, August 28, 2005 Noon to 5 p.m. WKJY Kids Tools for School/Love My Shoes Back-to-School promotion and collection at Roosevelt Field Mall on Old Country Road in Garden City. Cash and new school supply donations will be accepted by the staff at the Love My Shoes promotional booth.

"We're proud to have the Long Island Radio Group, a great community partner, working with us to get the message out, as well as support from Sal Picano of OST Supply of Farmingdale, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and the Queens Chamber of Commerce," Edwards added.

David Widmer, President and General Manager of the Long Island Radio Group (KJOY 98.3, Island 94.3, B-103 and WHLI 1100 AM), said, "It's really a terrific program and we're proud to be a part of it. We look forward to a great show of support from all our listeners and the overall community."

Part of Astoria Federal's Education First initiative, the Kids Tools for School collection drive ends August 31. Information about the Kids Tools for School program may be obtained by visiting http://www.astoriafederal.com/.

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 fifth 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.