CIANJ puts spotlight on Companies That Care
Oak Ridge, N.J., March 29, 2018 – Lakeland Bank was honored by The Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) and COMMERCE Magazine for its support of the Pass It Along (PIA) non-profit organization.
“Lakeland Bank has supported PIA for nearly a decade, a nonprofit organization that helps teenagers with self-worth, through self-discovery, volunteerism and leadership programs,” said Thomas Shara, Lakeland Bank President and CEO. “And we are honored to be recognized as a “Champion of Good Works” recipient again this year.”
In addition to the Bank’s $10,000 pledge to support PIA, last year members of the Senior Executive Team learned first-hand how the PIA program changes lives as well as perceptions. The Team spent an afternoon working at a homesite with significant maintenance and landscaping issues which the property owner was unable to address. After a few hours and with assistance from Lakeland’s landscape vendor, the Team made substantial progress to transform the property for the homeowner.
CIANJ and COMMERCE Magazine recently hosted the Fifth Annual Chairman’s Reception to pay tribute to the kindness and generosity of the business community. Thirty-nine companies, including leading manufacturers, retailers, hospitals, banks and colleges and universities, were honored as “Champions of Good Works” at the gala reception, attended by more than 200 business executives.
“For most of the companies that we are honoring tonight, their generosity and kindness is part of their culture,” said Anthony Russo, President of CIANJ. “The public is often unaware of the magnitude and scope of these good works. This reception is our way of shining a spotlight on “Companies that Care,” Russo added.
CIANJ is a statewide business advocacy organization, representing more than 950 corporate members from every industry sector. The organization asked the business community to share stories of its philanthropy. Their stories became a special section of the March issue of COMMERCE Magazine which was distributed at the reception.
Photo courtesy: CIANJ and Commerce Magazine
Caption: CIANJ Board of Director Kathleen Alexander presented Lakeland Bank President and CEO with a “Champion of Good Works” award at the reception held on March 20, 2018.
About Lakeland Bank
Lakeland Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:LBAI), which has $5.4 billion in total assets. The Bank operates 53 branch offices throughout Bergen, Essex, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union counties in New Jersey including one branch in Highland Mills, New York; six New Jersey regional commercial lending centers in Bernardsville, Jackson, Montville, Newton, Teaneck and Waldwick; and one in New York to serve the Hudson Valley region. Lakeland also has a commercial loan production office serving Middlesex and Monmouth counties in New Jersey. Lakeland Bank offers an extensive suite of financial products and services for businesses and consumers. Visit LakelandBank.com for more information.