Greater Newark Holiday Fund Exceeds Goal,
Wins Google Advertising Grant
Fund Raises $410,684; Google Awards Free Online Ads

NEWARK, NJ (January 31, 2010) — The 2009 Greater Newark Holiday Fund (GNHF; www.holidayfund.org) has raised $410,684 to help the needy in six northern New Jersey counties, beating its target by over $10,000 and surpassing last year’s donation total by over $60,000. In addition, the fund has just been awarded a Google Grant that will allow it to place up to $10,000 worth of online ads per month free of charge.

According to GNHF president Frank Ferruggia, a partner at Newark law firm McCarter & English LLP, the success of the 2009 campaign, which ends today, is a tribute to the generosity of New Jerseyans. “Even in these tough times, our donors reached out to help neighbors in trouble,” he said. “This is the most we’ve ever raised, and we’re grateful to all who contributed.”

John Strangfeld, CEO of Prudential Financial [NYSE:PRU], commented, “As chair of the 2009 Greater Newark Holiday Fund, I'm delighted that this year's campaign exceeded its goal. It is moving to see that, even though these are challenging economic times, the generous people of New Jersey are so willing to help others.”

Google Selects Fund for Award

GNHF was one of the few charities chosen to receive a grant from Google, the search engine giant. When people use Google to find information by typing in a search term or “keyword” that GNHF has reserved they will see an ad from the fund along withtheir search results.

Advertisers pay Google when people click on ads and go to their web sites, but under terms of the grant GNHF will get up to $10,000 worth of such clicks free per month. This provides a huge margin of safety over the $300 in charges charities typically generate in that time span.

Money collected by GNHF is distributed during the holiday season to 12 social service agencies to help children, the elderly, the homeless, and the destitute in Essex, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, and Bergen counties.

Information on the Fund and its goals is available at www.holidayfund.org. Visitors may donate on line or by calling 1-866-292-HOPE (4673). There is also a GNHF Facebook page (search for Greater Newark Holiday Fund).

$10,000 Challenge Grant Will Match New or
Increased Gifts to Greater Newark Holiday Fund

Fund Nearing $400,000 Goal; Money Goes to North Jersey Needy

NEWARK, NJ (January 5, 2010) — An anonymous supporter has offered a challenge grant to help the Greater Newark Holiday Fund (GNHF; www.holidayfund.org) reach its 2009 goal of raising $400,000 to help the needy in northern New Jersey.
The challenge grant will match contributions from donors who did not give to the GNHF last year, as well as increases in gifts from people who did give in 2008, up to a total of $10,000.
“Our generous donor wants to encourage others to put this year’s fund over the top,” said GNHF president Frank Ferruggia. “We’re grateful for their support and urge everyone to help us meet their challenge.”
GNHF has raised $323,176 in the current campaign, which ends on January 31. The money is distributed during the holiday season to 12 social service agencies to help children, the elderly, the homeless, and the destitute in Essex, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, and Bergen counties.
Information on the Fund and its goals is available at www.holidayfund.org. Visitors may donate on line or by calling 1-866-292-HOPE (4673). There is also a GNHF Facebook page (search for Greater Newark Holiday Fund).

Greater Newark Holiday Fund Reaches $161,685

Donations Running Ahead of 2008; Seeking $400,000
to Help North Jersey’s Neediest

NEWARK, NJ (December 16, 2009) — Donations to the 2009 Greater Newark Holiday Fund (GNHF; www.holidayfund.org) are running ahead of 2008 at $161,685. Every year since 1937 the GNHF has collected funds to brighten the holidays for needy individuals and families in Northern New Jersey.
“This heartwarming support is a tribute to the generosity of New Jerseyans,” said Frank Ferruggia, GNHF President and a partner in Newark’s McCarter and English law firm. “Even in these difficult economic times individuals, corporations, and foundations alike are contributing to our goal of raising $400,000 to help the less fortunate.”
 GNHF, founded in 1937, distributes donations among 12 social service agencies in six northern New Jersey counties during the holiday season, providing a much-needed boost to their efforts to help people and families in crisis. The funds help children, the elderly, the homeless, and the destitute in Essex, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, and Bergen counties.
John R. Strangfeld, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. [NYSE:PRU], is Chair of the 2009 campaign.

John R. Strangfeld, Prudential Chairman and CEO,
Will Chair Greater Newark Holiday Fund 2009 Campaign

NEWARK, NJ (September 29, 2009) — John Strangfeld, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. [NYSE:PRU], will serve as Chair of the 2009 campaign of the Greater Newark Holiday Fund (GNHF; www.holidayfund.org).
            For the past 72 years the Holiday Fund has raised money during the winter holidays to help local agencies meet the needs of less fortunate residents of Essex, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, and Bergen counties. The people these organizations serve include abused and neglected children, the homeless, people in poverty and the elderly.
The announcement that Strangfeld will be Chair of the 2009 GNHF campaign was made at a special kickoff breakfast at the Prudential Center in Newark.  “We are excited to have a business leader of John Strangfeld’s stature as this year’s Chair,” said Frank Ferruggia, GNHF president and a partner at Newark-based law firm McCarter & English LLP.  “We want this to be our most successful year ever, and Mr. Strangfeld’s presence gives us an enormous advantage in reaching our goals.  He continues the tradition of the local business community pitching in to help the GNHF make the holidays brighter for people and families in crisis.”
Strangfeld said that Prudential is proud of its long tradition of improving communities by investing the company’s resources and expertise, as well as the volunteer skills of its employees, in initiatives designed to meet the needs of individuals and families in communities throughout New Jersey, the United States and around the world.
 “This is a challenging economic environment for all of us. But at times like this, it is even more important that we share with people in need,” said Strangfeld.  “Please do all you can to support the Greater Newark Holiday Fund in its effort to make the holidays more joyful for the children and families who need our help.”
GNHF also said that its 2009 campaign will start on November 15 with an announcement in the Newark Star-Ledger newspaper, the fund’s partner. The kickoff breakfast was sponsored by GNHF supporters the New Jersey Devils and Enterprise Car Rental.