For Immediate Release:
January 11, 2010

For more information, contact:
Francine Patella Ryan
ESL Public Affairs Manager
fpatella@esl.org
585.336.1089 or 585.261.6220 (cell)

ESL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION AND NEWS 10NBC SEEKING ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS

- Nominate an Unsung Hero Today -

Rochester, New York - ESL Federal Credit Union and News 10NBC are currently seeking nominees for the 2010 ESL Jefferson Awards, and they are turning to the Rochester community to help identify those unsung heroes who do great things everyday, and who help to make a difference in the lives of others.

The two organizations will recognize and honor five of the region's most committed volunteers with the prestigious ESL Jefferson Awards for Public Service. These awards celebrate unsung heroes and their commitment to community and public service.

Nominations will be accepted through February 12. Nominations may be made online at www.esl.org or www.10NBC.com. Each nominee will be notified that he or she has been nominated.

Five finalists will be selected from among the nominees. Of those five, one will be chosen as the Greater Rochester regional honoree. This volunteer will be eligible for the national award and will attend the National Awards Ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. in June 2010.

In 1972, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Senator Robert Taft, Jr., and Sam Beard, founder and Chairman of the National Development Council (NDC), initiated the American Institute for Public Service as a way to establish a "Nobel Prize" for public and community service - The Jefferson Awards.

"There are many unrecognized heroes in this community who unselfishly dedicate their time to helping others everyday," said David L. Fiedler, President and CEO, ESL Federal Credit Union. "We're looking to the Rochester community to nominate these dedicated individuals and to give them the recognition they deserve. We hope these awards will serve as an inspiration to others."

"The News 10NBC team is extremely proud to partner with ESL once again and bring this national honor to Rochester," said Arnold Klinsky, VP/General Manager, News 10NBC. "It is also important to showcase our region's spirit of volunteerism nationally as part of the program in Washington, D.C."

More than 15,000 individuals nationwide are nominated each year for providing innovative service programs and acts of kindness.

Founded by George Eastman in 1920, ESL Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution with $3.9 billion in assets. ESL employs more than 600 people locally and has more than 298,000 members world-wide. Access to the credit union includes 18 branch locations and more than 42 ATM locations, a Tele-Banking Center, and Internet and online banking channels. The company is headquartered at 100 Kings Highway South in Rochester and can be found on the Internet at www.esl.org.