This NHL season, Ridgewood Savings Bank sponsored a program called “Save with Ridgewood” to support Gateway Youth Outreach and IMPACCT Brooklyn with every save made by the NY Islanders goalies.
Ridgewood Savings Bank teamed up with the NY Islanders to benefit two local charities. Ridgewood Savings Bank donated $10 for every save made by the NY Islanders’ goalie during the 2015/16 season. And after 2,241 saves this program campaign, called “Save with Ridgewood,” netted checks of $12,695 each to Gateway Youth Outreach and IMPACCT Brooklyn, two charities selected by Ridgewood to help in their missions and good works throughout Brooklyn & Nassau County.
“We work with many worthy causes in the communities we serve, however these particular charities were chosen specifically for their impact in each of the areas they serve in Nassau and Brooklyn” said Christopher F. Smith, Ridgewood Savings Bank’s Vice President & CRA Officer. Gateway Youth Outreach (GYO) is based in Elmont, NY serving the needs of Nassau county communities that help young people and families with counseling, summer programs, and after school homework assistance programs. IMPACCT Brooklyn creates and preserves affordable housing, and prevents displacement to enhance the economic, racial and cultural diversity of Central Brooklyn. “Additionally each charity promotes financial literacy,” said Smith, “an endeavor that we promote in all our communities.”
Pat Boyle, GYO Executive Director, stated “We could not be more pleased with this opportunity to share and promote our cause of helping kids and families as well as being associated with a caring bank as Ridgewood Savings Bank as well as being part of the NY Islanders.” “Having Ridgewood Savings Bank recognize the importance of housing in our communities says that what we are doing is meaningful. We are very excited to receive the support and recognition of Ridgewood Savings Bank as we work to advance our mission in the communities we serve.” said Deborah Howard, Executive Director, IMPACCT Brooklyn.
The NY Islanders website (newyorkislanders.com/RSBsave) tracked the number of saves throughout the season and displayed related content as well. Leonard Stekol, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Ridgewood Savings Bank commented, “This was an exciting program for our bank and the communities we serve. We were able to donate $22,410 to these charities, along with an additional $2,980 that the Islanders raised through tickets sales.” At the end of the post-season additional funds will be donated based on the final amount of saves made by the NY Islanders.
About Ridgewood Savings Bank
Founded in 1921, Ridgewood Savings Bank is the largest mutual savings bank in New York State, with over $5 billion dollars in assets. With 35 branches in the New York area, Ridgewood Savings Bank continues to serve its community as it did in 1921, with their continued focus always on their customers.
About IMPACCT Brooklyn
Now in its 51st year, IMPACCT Brooklyn (formerly Pratt Area Community Council) is one of Brooklyn’s premier community development corporations serving Central Brooklyn. The organization works hand-in-hand with low and moderate-income community members and stakeholders to preserve, develop and market affordable housing. They aim to create homeownership opportunities, protect tenant rights, combat predatory lending practices and prevent home-loss. In addition, they focus on promoting commercial revitalization, strengthening small local businesses and improving the financial wellbeing of community residents through education and counseling.
About GYO
Gateway Youth Outreach Inc. (GYO) is a non-profit, voluntary and community-based organization that provides many services to the youth in the Sewanhaka Central High School District and the communities around it. GYO enhances the community’s efforts to provide an environment where adolescents can develop self-awareness while engaged in productive and healthy pursuits. Caring professionals provide services and counseling to help implement GYO’s youth development goals.
