CONTACT: Elizabeth Eckel, SVP Marketing, 401-348-1309
DATE: September 21, 2005
Washington Trust Receives Volunteer Center Award
Westerly, Rhode Island... The Washington Trust Company, its Chairman and CEO, John C. Warren, and Washington Trust employees will be honored on September 24 by the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island (VCRI). They have been chosen as the recipient of VCRI's Corporate Award for Outstanding Commitment to Volunteerism. The award will be presented during VCRI's 12th annual Tribute to Volunteerism Gala at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick at 6:30 p.m.The award is presented each year to an individual and his or her company for adhering to the principles of excellence in employee volunteer programs as determined by the Points of Light Foundation:
- Company acknowledgement of the contribution of corporate community service in achieving business goals
- Commitment to encouraging all employees to volunteer
- Treating the employee volunteer effort as a core business function
- Targeting the volunteer efforts to serious social problems
"Washington Trust is most honored to be chosen as the recipient
of the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island's Corporate Award for Outstanding
Commitment to Volunteerism," said John C. Warren, chairman
and CEO of Washington Trust. "Our employees take great pride
in serving the communities where they work and live. Their enthusiasm
and commitment towards volunteering is demonstrated through the
time and effort they put forward to help so many local agencies.
In turn, they are grateful for the rewards that come from helping
those in need," he added.
"The Volunteer Center of Rhode Island is proud to honor Mr. Warren, Washington Trust and its employees for its terrific commitment to workplace volunteering," said Kelly Nevins, executive director, VCRI. "Washington Trust's volunteer program demonstrates the ability and capacity businesses have to make a difference in their communities. The Bank serves as a role model for other members of the local business community to include volunteering as an important part of their workplace culture."
Washington Trust has a long-standing commitment to community service
and has received several awards recognizing the Bank's efforts.
On August 5, 2005, Washington Trust was honored as the recipient
of the national Award for Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Programs
(AEWVP) from The Points of Light Foundation in Washington, D.C.
Additional awards the Bank has been honored with for its community
service include:
Encore Award for Support of the
Arts, The Arts & Business Council of Rhode Island;
2004
Exceptional Corporate Partner,
Goodwill Industries of R.I.; 2004 and 2003
Platinum Award, United Way of
Rhode Island; 2003 and 2002
Business Excellence in Community Service,
Providence Business News; 2001
Washington Trust supports its local community both financially and through volunteer efforts of its employees. Approximately 75 percent of Washington Trust's employees perform community service through the Bank's Reach for the Stars volunteer program. Bank officers serve as community leaders and board members for various non-profit organizations. Employees volunteer for projects such as the Habitat for Humanity's home build, the American Bankers Association's "Teach Children to Save Day," the Audubon Society's "Coastal Cleanup" and more. Each year, the Bank also conducts a community-wide peanut butter drive and in 2005 donated 8 ½ tons of peanut butter to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Through the Bank's Dare to Care Day program every Bank officer participates in a day of service for one of several volunteer projects held during business hours. The Bank has various means of rewarding employees for their volunteerism and community service.
The Washington Trust Company is the largest independent bank headquartered
in Rhode Island. A state-chartered bank, Washington Trust offers
a full range of financial services, including wealth management,
through its 16 branch offices located in Rhode Island and southeastern
Connecticut. Founded in 1800, the Bank is a subsidiary of Washington
Trust Bancorp, Inc., whose common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock
Market® under the symbol WASH. Web site address: www.washtrust.com.
The mission of the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island is to connect people and opportunities for effective volunteer community service. This is done by promoting volunteerism statewide, connecting volunteers to community needs, building the capacity for effective volunteerism through training and consultation, and by collaborating with community stakeholders where volunteers are involved. For more information, visit www.vcri.org.
