FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Elizabeth Eckel, SVP Marketing, 401-348-1309
DATE: December 22, 2005

Washington Trust Adopts 34 Families for the Holidays

Westerly, Rhode Island... The Washington Trust Company made the holidays a little merrier for 34 families in need in Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut. Bank employees "adopted" families through local nonprofits and community groups that provided lists with the family members' first names, ages, clothing/shoe sizes and items on their "wish lists." Bank employees purchased the items for the families and donated them anonymously.

"Making the holidays happier for local families in need, especially the children, has become an important part of the holiday season for Washington Trust employees," said John C. Warren, Chairman and CEO of The Washington Trust Company. "Working with local agencies to provide gifts the families are hoping for makes the holidays special not just for the families but for our employees as well."

Washington Trust worked with the following non-profit organizations to "adopt" local families:

Bradford Jonnycake Center (Westerly)
Children's Friend and Service (Providence)
Comprehensive Community Action (Cranston)
Elizabeth Buffum Chase House (Warwick)
North Kingstown Welfare Department
Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center (Pawcatuck, CT)
Peace Dale Jonnycake Center (Peacedale)
PICA (Providence In Church Assocation)
Pleasant Street Baptist Church (Westerly)
Town of Charlestown Gift Drive
W.A.R.M. Shelter (Westerly)
Women's Resource Center of South County (Wakefield)
Wood River Health Services (Richmond)

Washington Trust employees delivered gifts to the Bradford Jonnycake Center, as part of their Adopt-A-Family program, that will be given to families in need for the holidays.