SAUGUS, Mass., Oct. 8, 2004 – Eastern Bank today announced it donated $3,000, which will pay for a monument recognizing the achievement of the Saugus American Little League All-Star Champions who competed in the 2003 World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

The monument, which will bear the 12 players’ and four coaches’ names, will be unveiled at the Oct. 24 dedication of World Series Park, a new, professional-quality baseball field located behind Belmonte Middle School, at 25 Dow St.

“Eastern Bank is proud to be part of this historic event,” said Rich Holbrook, president and chief operating officer of Eastern Bank. “The team’s can-do attitude and spirit was an inspiration to all of us as we watched them play last year; and this monument will stand as a reminder to future generations of their grit and determination.”

The Little League team, U.S. Rep. John Tierney, the state congressional delegation and Saugus dignitaries will all attend the unveiling of the monument and park dedication ceremonies, scheduled to begin at noon.

The monument will stand in a prominent place in the park, a short distance behind home plate, said Bob Davis, chairman of the World Series Park Committee, which raised the private funds used to design and build the park.

“We’re so pleased that Eastern Bank stepped to the plate with this donation,” Davis said. “This is the culmination of a year of fund raising. World Series Park will serve as a permanent reminder of what this team accomplished and the honor they brought to the people of Saugus.”

Based in Boston, Eastern Bank is the largest independent, mutually owned commercial bank in New England.  With $5.1 billion in assets and 53 branches in Greater Boston, Eastern offers a full range of financial products for consumers, businesses, investors, government agencies and not-for-profit organizations. Its wholly owned subsidiaries are Eastern Insurance, one of New England’s largest insurers, 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.