ALIQUIPPA, Pa. -- Aliquippa Alliance For Unity & Development Receives $25,000 Grant, Volunteer Support And Other Benefits For Its Commitment To Work Force Development

Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania and WPXI-TV today announced Aliquippa Alliance for Unity & Development (AAUD) will receive a $25,000 grant, volunteer support and other benefits for its selection as a Community Star – an honor bestowed on the organization for its commitment to work force development. Community Stars is a new initiative designed to recognize and support nonprofit organizations for the contributions the agencies make to communities in western Pennsylvania.

"We are delighted to contribute our financial resources and extensive promotional and volunteer efforts to such an important and vital community organization," said Ralph J. Papa, President of Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania's Western Region. "One of the goals of the Community Stars program is to create awareness and to build community support for smaller organizations that are making a profound difference in our neighborhoods. AAUD is an exceptional volunteer-based organization dedicated to helping members of the community help themselves by preparing them for opportunities in the work force."

AAUD, created in 1984 in response to the closing of LTV Corporation's Aliquippa Works, which resulted in the loss of 14,000 local jobs, provides a variety of health and human services to residents of Aliquippa and the surrounding area. The organization's Work Force Development Center enables members of the community to obtain the skills, training and education they need to help them take advantage of local employment and apprenticeship opportunities.

"Aliquippa, like most communities in southwestern Pennsylvania, was founded on the backs of hardworking, dedicated men and women who everyday put their strong work ethic to use for the betterment of themselves and their community," said T.J. Morton, Executive Director of AAUD. "Today, that storied work ethic remains, but the opportunities have changed. To succeed, we need to prepare our community for today's employment opportunities. With the increased visibility and additional resources afforded to us from the Community Stars program, we will be able to expand the services we offer and assist even more people with their efforts to obtain gainful employment."

Wednesday, Morton joined Mary Weibel, Vice President and Manager of Public Affairs for Citizens Bank, and WPXI-TV news co-anchor Darieth Chisolm in surprising AAUD staff and volunteers with news of the organization’s selection as the second-ever Community Star. The announcement was made at the organization’s operations at the Franklin Center at 524 Franklin Avenue in Aliquippa, where more than 5,000 local residents are served annually.

"WPXI-TV is proud to partner with Citizens Bank to honor such a worthy organization," said WPXI-TV's General Manager Ray Carter. "There are a tremendous amount of terrific grass roots community organizations in our area. We are pleased to focus our community efforts on the AAUD and look forward to helping them continue to do great work. We also congratulate them on becoming the second of many Community Stars."

Through Community Stars, AAUD will receive:

A $25,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from Citizens Bank;

Media coverage from WPXI-TV, including public service announcements and TV profiles;

Volunteer support from Citizens and WPXI-TV employees;

Extensive public relations support;

Promotional support, highlighting the Community Stars in all Citizens Bank branches;

Exposure on both Citizens Bank and WPXI-TV Web sites.

A group of community leaders and representatives of WPXI-TV and Citizens Bank form the Community Stars selection committee that selects a nonprofit organization each quarter for its work on a particular social issue. Work force development was the category under which the AAUD was selected. Last year, Wilkinsburg Community Ministry was selected as the first Community Star for its work with senior citizens.

Adult literacy is the focus for the second quarter of 2005. A nonprofit organization that provides adult literacy programs and related instruction will be announced in April. The application deadline for this category is January 14, 2005.

The remaining application deadlines and topics for the 2005 Community Stars program are Youth Support, April 8, 2005 and Homelessness, July 8, 2005.

For more information about the Community Stars program or to request an application, contact the Citizens Bank Public Affairs Department at (412) 867-2683. Applications also can be obtained online at citizensbank.com and WPXI.com or at any Pittsburgh-area Citizens Bank branch.

About Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania
Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania is a $28 billion state-chartered bank with dual headquarters in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It has more than 400 branches, more than 660 ATMs and a convenient network of commercial banking offices throughout Pennsylvania. It also operates 10 retail branches and 10 ATMs in southern New Jersey. It has approximately 5,300 employees.