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ARLINGTON, Va.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--AvalonBay Communities, a leading U.S. Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with apartment communities in the major east and west coast markets, today announced the start of its aSpirit of Caringa month. Throughout October, AvalonBay associates will participate in service projects to benefit their local communities.

"The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk"

AvalonBay, known for its commitment to sustainable living and support for its local communities, was recently named one of the top 25 asocially responsible dividend stocksa by Dividend Channel. During aSpirit of Caringa month, the Company will have over 2,000 associates participating in large-scale community service projects. The programs include: volunteering at local food banks, assisting the homeless and disabled, working with Habitat for Humanity, and conducting food and donation drives at its regional offices and in 195 communities.

Timothy J. Naughton, AvalonBayas Chief Executive Officer, noted: aAs a company with national reach, we wanted to express our 'Spirit of Caring' in each of the local markets where we do business, involving as many of our associates as possible. So, we are very pleased to kick off October as our 'Spirit of Caring' month with the support of over 2,000 AvalonBay associates, representing our ten regions and 195 communities. We are setting aside this month to give back to the local communities that over the years have repeatedly welcomed AvalonBay to their neighborhoods. As much as we hope our activities will benefit our local communities, we recognize that, in serving others, we benefit as well. We are given the chance to make our 'Spirit of Caring' come alive, and we are very grateful for that opportunity.a

In Boston, AvalonBay associates will volunteer for a variety of tasks at the Greater Boston Food Bank on South Bay Avenue.

In Connecticut, AvalonBay associates will participate in three volunteer programs: in Stamford, aThe Walk for Diabetesa at Trinity Catholic High School; in Trumbull, an American Red Cross Blood Drive at AvalonBay eaves Trumbull; and in Shelton, assisting at Spooner House stocking shelves, servicing lunch, bagging food donated, and gardening.

New York associates based in Long Island will participate in aThe Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walka in Jones Beach. In New York City, associates will help garden and landscape at the Hudson River Park along the lower Hudson River.

In New Jersey, AvalonBay associates will hold a toy drive for the New Jersey Apartment Association and will participate in painting rooms at the Easter Seals Home in Flemington, New Jersey.

At the AvalonBay headquarters, in Arlington, Virginia, associates will participate in a four day effort at the Washington D.C. Central Kitchen. Activities will include meal prep and harvesting produce at a local Washington D.C. area farm.

Across the country, the ten regions and communities within those regions participating in aSpirit of Caringa include: Boston, Connecticut, Washington D.C. Metro, Long Island, New Jersey, New York, Northern California, Southern California, Seattle, and Virginia Beach.

About AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. is a real estate investment trust (a "REIT") focused on developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing high-quality apartment communities in high barrier-to-entry markets of the United States. These markets are in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Northwest, Northern California and Southern California. As of June 30, 2012, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 201 apartment communities containing 59,258 apartment homes in nine states and the District of Columbia, of which 20 communities were under construction and 11 communities were under reconstruction.

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