First Niagara Announces $10,000 Grant to Friends of Westchester County Parks, Inc. to support Annual Music Fest and Fireworks at Kensico Dam

Second Consecutive Year That First Niagara Supports Popular Community Event

MOUNT KISCO, NY  (June 23, 2014) -- With Independence Day just a few weeks away, First Niagara Foundation, the not-for-profit charitable foundation funded by First Niagara Bank, today announced a community grant of $10,000 to Friends of Westchester Park, Inc.  for the annual Kensico Dam Music Fest and Fireworks on Thursday, July 3, at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla.

“First Niagara Bank is very proud to support this tremendously popular community event in Westchester County for the second year in a row,” said Cathie Schaffer, President of First Niagara's Tri-State Region. “We pride ourselves on being an involved neighbor and good corporate citizen in every community we serve and by working together in partnership with the Friends of Westchester County Parks  and County Executive Rob Astorino, we can continue this important Westchester tradition.”

County Executive Astorino said: “Thousands of people come out to enjoy the July 3rd Music Fest and Fireworks, one of the county’s best known and best loved events. With the help of First Niagara Bank, we can celebrate our nation’s birthday with music and fanfare for free once again this year. I am very grateful to our corporate partners who step up to help us provide the community with events like this, and to our own Friends of Westchester County Parks for its continued partnership.”

The annual Music Fest and Fireworks is one of the most popular summer events in Westchester, attracting thousands of residents and their families to celebrate Independence Day. Pre-concert entertainment begins at 6 p.m. with fireworks at approximately 9:15 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Attendees are encouraged to stop by the First Niagara table for a free gift. Additional support for the event is being provided by Westchester Magazine, radio station 100.7 WHUD. 

About The First Niagara Foundation

First Niagara Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable foundation, funded by First Niagara Bank, N.A., a multi-state community-oriented bank with approximately 420 branches, $38 billion in assets, $27 billion in deposits, and approximately 5,800 employees providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Founded in 1998, the First Niagara Foundation is committed to supporting organizations in the communities in which we live and work with specific focus on youth and education, community development and neighborhood revitalization. In 2013 the Foundation contributed more than $9.0 million in charitable grants to community partners. For more information, visit www.firstniagara.com/community.

First Niagara Contacts

News Media:

Juliana Wynohradnyk

Thompson & Bender

(914) 762-1900 x 22