Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • July 25, 2012 Business The New Jersey Bankers Association has awarded special recognition to Oritani Bank for its outstanding community service initiatives. The presentation was made during the Community Service Awards Program at the organization’s annual conference. Oritani Bank’s service efforts include the Christmas in July Children’s Food Drive, which is being held now through Aug. 3. The bank’s branches in Bergen County are collecting donations of non-perishable food and cash for the Center for Food Action, one of the three leading providers of emergency food aid to children in northern New Jersey. A list of the most needed non-perishable items for children is available at each branch, and Oritani encourages its customers and staff to take one of their special bags, fill it up, and return it to any Oritani branch. OritaniBank Charitable Foundation will also assist the children’s food drive by matching the amount of any cash or check donations that are made. Customers may give cash, checks, or gift card donations. Last year, this annual event provided 870 shopping bags filled with child-friendly non-perishable items to the Center for Food Action. Every year, the NJBA sponsors the awards program to celebrate the community work of members and share those efforts with representatives of the New Jersey State Legislature and congressional delegations. The program helps New Jersey’s governing bodies better understand the active role the banking industry plays for the betterment of communities in the state through civic and charitable activities. Oritani Bank was a co-recipient of the NJBA award for banks of its size, based on total deposits. Through its OritaniBank Charitable Foundation, established in 2007, the Oritani recognized for contributions to Food Drive bank assists not-for-profit organizations that help improve the quality of life for residents in Bergen, Hudson, Essex, and Passaic counties. Since its inception, the foundation has donated over $3 million to local charitable organizations, primarily in support of education, health and human services, youth programs, and affordable housing. In 2011 alone, the year upon which the NJBA award is based, the foundation donated over $830,000 to 34 organizations. “Our employees are active members of their communities and really care about local issues,” said Kevin J. Lynch, president of the OritaniBank Charitable Foundation and chairman, president, and CEO of Oritani Bank. “That’s why this Community Service Award means so much to everyone in the Oritani family. It’s great recognition of our 100-year commitment to the communities where we live.” Among the recipients of OritaniBank Charitable Foundation giving in 2011 were Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County, Center for Food Action, The Township of Washington Voluntary Ambulance Corps, Shelter Our Sisters, Friendship House, and the Bergen County Community College Foundation. Oritani Bank is a 101-year-old community bank with over $2.8 billion in assets, based in the Township of Washington, New Jersey. Oritani Bank is a publicly held company trading on the NASDAQ. Oritani Bank offers a full line of deposit and loan services to retail and commercial customers. Call 888-ORITANI, or visit www.oritani.com. At right: Nunzio Palazzotto, customer service representative, and January Bourke, branch manager.