Washington Trust Donates Hundreds of Cell Phones to
Domestic Violence Resource Center

Washington Trust collected used cell phones during the month of October at all of their 18 branch offices, and has delivered more than 20 boxes containing hundreds of cell phones to the Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County (DVRCSC). The DVRCSC will reprogram the phones for 911 calls to provide safety to victims, or submit to an organization that recycles the electronic parts, or use as a fundraiser for the center’s programs. Since the cell phone recycling and fundraising program began collecting in 2001, the DVRCSC has received more than $15,000 in cell phone contributions from Washington Trust, and this year’s collection will bring another $2,000 to the center.

“Despite increased awareness, prevention, and education programs, domestic violence continues to affect our society,” said Elizabeth B. Eckel, senior vice president of marketing of Washington Trust and member of the Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County Advisory Board. “It is a small way that community members can make a big impact on a critical social problem.”

“This is fabulous! Last year we raised almost $1,000 from the Washington Trust cell phone drive, and this is double the amount of donated phones,” noted Mary Roda, DVRCSC Executive Director. “We send the phones to the Shelter Alliance, and they responsibly recycle the toxic electronic parts. It’s a great way to help victims of domestic violence and the environment.”

The Washington Trust Company is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., a $2.8 billion corporation headquartered in Westerly, Rhode Island. Founded in 1800, Washington Trust is the oldest community bank in the nation and is the largest independent bank headquartered in Rhode Island. A state-chartered bank, Washington Trust offers a full range of financial services, including business banking, personal banking, and wealth management and trust services, through its offices located in Rhode Island, southeastern Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Corporation's common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Select® Stock Market under the symbol WASH. Web site address: www.washtrust.com.