For Immediate Release:
June 23, 2010

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

ESL Partners with Strong National Museum of Play

Rochester, New York... On Wednesday, June 16, ESL and the Strong National Museum of Play formally announced ESL's sponsorship of the museum's popular program, "Passport for Family Fun". The program provides admission to financially challenged families and children receiving services through more than 40 local social-service agencies, including Action for a Better Community, Catholic Family Center, Ibero-American Action League, Sojourner House, Urban League of Rochester, Wilson Commencement Park, and the YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County.

Strong developed Passport for Family Fun 10 years ago in response to increasing requests from local human service agencies for access to the museum by their client families. Since then, the museum's roster of community partners has grown to more than 40 agencies that distribute free-admission passes to client families who might otherwise not have the opportunity to visit the museum. Some agencies also use the passes to bring teenage and their children to the museum together to foster good parenting practices. Still others are used by children who are homeless or are awaiting foster care or adoption, and are in agency housing. In all instances, the museum is regarded as a neutral, safe environment where families can be together and children are able to have the experience of just being a child despite the problems and pressures facing them.

This is not the first time ESL has partnered with the Museum. Since 2008, ESL has been the presenting sponsor of the Berenstain Bears exhibit - an interactive exhibit for young children developed from the Berenstain Bears book collection.

According to ESL President and CEO David L. Fiedler, "The Strong National Museum of Play is a significant contributor to the quality of life for those who reside in the Greater Rochester area. ESL is pleased to play a role in and is excited about lending its support to this program."

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 300,000 members world-wide. Access to the credit union includes 20 branch locations and more than 42 ATM locations, a Tele-Banking Center, and Internet and online banking channels. The company is headquartered at 225 Chestnut Street, in Rochester, and can be found on the Internet at www.esl.org.

 

The Berenstain Bears welcome guests for the announcement of ESL's sponsorship of the Strong National Museum of Play's "Passport to Family Fun" program

Rollie Adams, executive director, Strong National Museum of Play, and David Fiedler, President and CEO, ESL Federal Credit Union