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Prudential announces $1.5 million contribution to fund Branch Brook Park restorations

^{Published on 2011-04-08 04:25:54 - Market Wire}
 

NEWARK, N.J.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--During the annual Cherry Blossom Gala in Newark, N.J., Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), announced a $1.5 million contribution to support the restoration of Essex County Branch Brook Park and benefit the work of the Branch Brook Park Alliance.

"Branch Brook Park has a special place in the hearts of the people of Prudential."

Of the total contribution, $1 million will fund improvement projects in the park, including enhancing the Kiyofumi Sakaguchi Memorial Grove and renovating the Music Court and the lion sculptures housed there. The remaining funds will support the Branch Brook Park Alliance as they continue fundraising efforts that will complete improvements identified in their strategic design plan. The Alliance is a public/private partnership organized in 1999 to provide design expertise and funding support to help restore and revitalize the park.

The Memorial Grove was created in 2003 as a living memorial for Kiyofumi Sakaguchi, who was executive vice president and head of Prudentiala™s international operations from 1979 until his death in 2002. Prudential planted 24 cherry trees there to commemorate Sakaguchia™s role at the company.

In 1959, Prudential donated two lion sculptures to Essex County, which have ever since graced the entrance to the Music Court. In 2008, the lions were named Art and Pat in honor of former Prudential CEO Art Ryan and his wife, philanthropist Pat Ryan. Both lions were removed for renovation in February and are expected to be restored and returned by this summer.

aPrudentiala™s headquarters and Branch Brook Park have been landmarks in the City of Newark for more than 100 years,a said Sharon C. Taylor, senior vice president, Corporate Human Resources at Prudential, and chairman of The Prudential Foundation. aBranch Brook Park has a special place in the hearts of the people of Prudential.a

The Cherry Blossom Gala, held at Naninaa™s In the Park in Belleville, benefits the Branch Brook Park Alliance. It kicks off several activities that comprise the 35th Annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, including guided bus tours through the parka™s cherry blossom collection, a bike tour, lectures, photography workshops, and other activities. Prudential is the marquee sponsor of the gala. More than 100,000 people are expected to visit Essex County Branch Brook Park during the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader with approximately $784 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2010, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudentiala™s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services. In the U.S., Prudentiala™s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit [ http://www.news.prudential.com/ ]