November 16, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • Page 13 The staff at Lakeland Bank recently contributed approximately $7,800 to three non-profit organizations that are working to address and find cures for catastrophic childhood diseases. Those organizations include Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the division of ophthalmology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Our employees have a strong commitment to foundations that improve the quality of life for those in our communities that need it most,” said Thomas J. Shara, president and CEO of Lakeland Bank. “So, it is no surprise that they selected charities that strive to help children and their families deal with the day-to-day challenges of a devastating childhood disease.” These charities were selected through the company’s Jeans Day program, and each received about $2,600. The program provides an opportunity for employees to wear jeans on Fridays if they contribute $10 or more a month to Lakeland Bank’s designated charities. Employees nomi- Bank’s staff takes aim against childhood diseases nate their favorite charities at the beginning of the year. Each month, one of those charities is selected to receive a donation. Founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, St. Jude opened in February 1962. Its mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. According to JDRF, the organization is the worldwide leader in funding research to cure Type I diabetes, an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly and lasts a lifetime. The pediatric eye specialists at CHOP care for children with a full range of eye and vision problems including eye misalignment or abnormal eye movements, amblyopia (lazy eye), and poor visual function. They also treat rare eye conditions in children such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinopathy of prematurity, droopy eyelids and tearing problems. Lakeland Bancorp, the holding company for Lakeland Bank, has an asset base of approximately $2.7 billion and 47 offices in New Jerrsey. For more information, visit lakelandbank.com.