BOSTON, May 20, 2005 – Richard E. Holbrook, president of Eastern Bank, received the prestigious “Others Award” from the Salvation Army Lynn Citadel Corps, the bank announced today.

The award is the Salvation Army’s highest recognition given to civilians in honor of their service to others.  The award was presented last night in a ceremony attended by more than 350 community leaders at Jimmy’s Allenhurst in Danvers, Mass.

“The Salvation Army has been serving those in need around the world for more than 100 years, and I am deeply honored to be considered a part of the Salvation Army family,” Holbrook said at the ceremony. “Although you have presented this award to me, I know that it is really the ‘others’ with whom I live and work that you really are honoring, for without their support and their contributions, I could not make my own small contributions.”

Holbrook noted Eastern Bank’s years of community service through its charitable foundation, which gives to more than 500 organizations in eastern Massachusetts every year.

He also noted the generous contributions of Eastern Bank employees who freely give of their time, talent and money to help make local communities a safer, healthier and happier place to live.

The “Others Award” was inspired by Salvation Army founder William Booth, who, in the early 1900s was asked to give a one-word description of the army’s mission and a word of inspiration to its troops. His response, “others,” was telegraphed to the troops around the world and has been inspiring Salvationists ever since.

“The Lynn Citadel Corps is proud to present this award to Rich Holbrook, who has been a leader in community service for years,” said Major Edgar C. George Jr., of the Lynn Citadel Corps. “This award is a tribute to folks, like Rich, who give unselfishly to their communities. It is our highest award, and we felt it was a fitting recognition of his efforts.”

Based in Boston, Eastern Bank Corporation is the holding company for the largest independent, mutually owned commercial banking franchise in New England. With $6.2 billion in assets and 73 branches in Greater Boston, Eastern offers a full range of financial products for consumers, businesses, investors, government agencies and not-for-profit organizations. Its subsidiaries are Eastern Bank, Plymouth Savings Bank, Eastern Insurance, and Fantini & Gorga, a real estate advisory firm. 

For more information, contact: Joe Bartolotta, Public Relations Director, Eastern Bank, (781) 596-4411, or e-mail Joe Bartolotta.