CommUNITYFirst Day 2024, Held on September 24th, Benefits Thousands

Rhea-AI Summary

OceanFirst Bank N.A., a subsidiary of OceanFirst Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:OCFC), held its third annual CommUNITYFirst Day on September 24th, 2024. Over 700 employees volunteered 3,000 hours at more than 75 nonprofit organizations across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts. The event involved closing all branch locations and loan offices for the afternoon to enable employee participation.

Volunteers, known as WaveMakers, assisted organizations focusing on housing, food insecurity, environment, future generations, inclusive communities, economic empowerment, health and wellness, and arts and culture. Since its inception in 2021, OceanFirst employees have contributed nearly 9,000 volunteer hours through CommUNITYFirst Day. The event is coordinated in collaboration with OceanFirst Foundation, which aims to empower nonprofits in the bank's service areas.

Positive

• Over 700 employees volunteered 3,000 hours, demonstrating strong community engagement
• Collaboration with 75+ nonprofit organizations across four states, expanding the bank's community impact
• Annual tradition since 2021, showing consistent commitment to corporate social responsibility

Negative

• None.

700+ OceanFirst Bank Employees Volunteer 3,000 Hours at Nonprofit Organizations in Four States

RED BANK, N.J., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OceanFirst Bank N.A. (“OceanFirst” or the “Bank”), a subsidiary of OceanFirst Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:OCFC), held its third annual CommUNITYFirst Day on September 24^th, 2024, providing volunteer assistance to community organizations across the Bank’s market area. All OceanFirst branch locations and loan offices were closed on the afternoon of September 24^th to enable employees to volunteer at local nonprofit organizations, with more than 700 team members joining in the effort.

More than 75 nonprofit organizations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts requested OceanFirst employees, known as WaveMakers, to help complete a variety of projects that will assist people and neighborhoods with the greatest needs. The nonprofit organizations focus on providing housing, alleviating food insecurity, protecting the environment, aiding future generations, building inclusive communities, fostering economic empowerment, improving health and wellness, and promoting arts and culture.

“CommUNITYFirst Day began in 2021 and has become an annual tradition at OceanFirst. It is a great opportunity for the Bank to extend a helping hand to our neighbors in the communities where our employees live and work,” said Joe Lebel, OceanFirst Bank President and Chief Operating Officer. “With more than 700 employees participating in CommUNITYFirst Day 2024, we were proud to assist our nonprofit partners and the people they serve.”

Meals on Wheels of Ocean County (“Meals on Wheels”) was one of the more than 75 nonprofit organizations that hosted OceanFirst employees for CommUNITYFirst Day 2024. According to Heather deJong, Community Relations Specialist at Meals on Wheels, “Meals on Wheels of Ocean County is so appreciative of the army of volunteers we had during CommUNITYFirst Day. We deliver 1,000 meals each day, Monday thru Friday, to our homebound and food insecure seniors and OceanFirst’s volunteers saved our kitchen staff a day’s worth of work by prepping and putting the cold components of our meal into 1,000 grab-and-go bags that our drivers will now deliver along with the hot entrée and sides tomorrow.”

Since CommUNITYFirst Day was established, OceanFirst Bank employees have volunteered almost 9,000 hours in conjunction with CommUNITYFirst Day. Volunteer opportunities are coordinated for OceanFirst employees in collaboration with OceanFirst Foundation, whose mission is to empower nonprofits to think bigger, solve more problems, and make life better in the neighborhoods served by OceanFirst Bank.

OceanFirst Bank N.A., a subsidiary of OceanFirst Financial Corp., founded in 1902, is a $13.3 billion regional bank providing financial services throughout New Jersey and in the major metropolitan areas between Massachusetts and Virginia. OceanFirst Bank delivers commercial and residential financing, treasury management, trust and asset management and deposit services and is one of the largest and oldest community-based financial institutions headquartered in New Jersey. To learn more about OceanFirst go to www.oceanfirst.com.

Company Contact:
Jill Apito Hewitt
OceanFirst Bank N.A.
Director of Corporate Communications
1.888.623.2633 ext. 27513
jhewitt@oceanfirst.com

FAQ

When was OceanFirst Bank's CommUNITYFirst Day 2024 held?

OceanFirst Bank's CommUNITYFirst Day 2024 was held on September 24th, 2024.

How many OceanFirst Bank employees participated in CommUNITYFirst Day 2024?

More than 700 OceanFirst Bank employees participated in CommUNITYFirst Day 2024.

How many volunteer hours were contributed during OceanFirst's CommUNITYFirst Day 2024?

OceanFirst Bank employees contributed 3,000 volunteer hours during CommUNITYFirst Day 2024.

In which states did OceanFirst Bank (OCFC) conduct its CommUNITYFirst Day 2024 activities?

OceanFirst Bank conducted CommUNITYFirst Day 2024 activities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts.