Union State Bank presents Red Cross with $40,000 donation.

Union State Bank employees received the gift of giving this holiday season as the Bank and the U.S.B. Foundation donated over $40,000 to the Westchester Chapter of the American Red Cross on their behalf.

The donation includes employee contributions to assist the relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina victims.

As a result of Hurricane Katrina and the devastation to the people in New Orleans and Mississippi, Union State Bank employees were encouraged to donate to the American Red Cross for the benefit of the victims. The U.S.B. Foundation pledged to match "dollar for dollar" the employees' contributions. In just a matter of weeks, employees donated over $7,000 to support the disaster relief.

In addition to the funds raised for the hurricane relief, Union State Bank has chosen to donate over $13,500 to the Westchester Chapter of the American Red Cross in lieu of customer and employee holiday gifts. The Foundation has committed to matching this amount as well, making the total combined donation over $40,000.

Raymond J. Crotty, president and chief operating officer of Union State Bank, presented the check to James Dennis, CEO, and Ira Brody, chief development officer of the American Red Cross in Westchester County, at a holiday luncheon hosted by Lawrence D. Stewart, chief lending officer of Union State Bank.

"Replenishing the funds utilized in the hurricane relief efforts will prepare the Westchester Chapter of the American Red Cross for emergencies in our area," said Crotty. "Our employees share our commitment to the communities in which we live and work, which is why we, Union State Bank, chose to give a gift of charity on their behalf."

In receiving the donation, Brody noted, "We at the American Red Cross are appreciative of the efforts of Union State Bank and its employees for the victims of Katrina during the greatest natural catastrophe in recent American history. We in Westchester are even more appreciative of Union State Bank's past and continued support of our local disaster needs. Union State Bank is truly a model to the private sector in regards to what community involvement is about."