EVANSVILLE, Ind., Nov. 10, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Old National Bank (NYSE:ONB) has announced that it is making a $100,000 corporate donation to the American Red Cross for its Vanderburgh and Warrick County tornado relief efforts.
"I have never been prouder of our community and our Old National associates than I have been in recent days," says Robert G. Jones, president and CEO of Old National Bancorp.
"Old National Bank is proud to join other area corporate leaders in this effort. We are making this contribution in honor of the commitment our associates have demonstrated in response to the overwhelming needs of their community, their neighbors and their fellow associates," he adds.
At the request of the Vanderburgh County commissioners, the bank has also established the Vanderburgh County-Knight Township Tornado Relief Fund to provide immediate assistance to the residents of Eastbrook Trailer Park. ONB has also donated $5,000 to this fund, which will be administered through the Knight Township Trustee's office.
Old National will also partner with Habitat for Humanity in its "Operation Home Again," an initiative that will open the opportunity for a Habitat home to tornado victims. ONB has pledged funds to build one home.
Old National has also released associates to participate in the relief efforts each day this week and will continue to do so as needed. As many as 50 each day have assisted at the Red Cross, in conjunction with Crossroads Christian Church's clean-up program and in helping their clients and fellow associates. The bank has also loaned computers to the Red Cross.
Old National also participated with local media partners and other financial services institutions in Wednesday's Tri-State Tornado Relief telethon, which raised over $1.2 million for local Red Cross and Salvation Army recover efforts. Over 50 associates staffed phone banks and processed credit card donations. Bank associates will take calls again when the phone lines re-open Sunday.
Jones also announced that Kathy Schoettlin, AVP -- Public Relations, will serve as an executive on loan with the local Red Cross in the coming days.
"Old National's greatest asset is our people, and we're grateful that we can assist Kathy's former colleagues at the Red Cross by sharing her significant expertise in both communications and disaster response," he says.
"Like everyone in our community, our associates want to do everything they can to help," he continues, "and we're allowing each one we possibly can to volunteer while they're on the clock."
Individuals wishing to contribute to the relief efforts may contribute to the following at any Old National Banking center:
-- American Red Cross Vanderburgh/Warrick Tornado Relief
-- American Red Cross Warrick County Tornado Relief
-- Tri-State Tornado Relief Telethon (Salvation Army/Red Cross)
-- Vanderburgh County/Knight Township Tornado Relief Fund
With $8.5 billion in assets, Old National Bancorp is the largest financial services bank holding company headquartered in Indiana and ranks among the top 100 banking companies in the United States. Since its founding in Evansville in 1834, Old National has focused on community banking by building long-term, highly valued relationships with clients in its primary footprint of Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. Focused on exceeding client expectations, the Old National team of financial professionals provides a broad range of services including retail and commercial banking, wealth management, insurance, and brokerage. For more information and financial trend data, please visit the company's website at www.oldnational.com.