First Niagara teams up with Buffalo Sabres and Junior Achievement to promote financial literacy

The First Niagara Foundation and the Buffalo Sabres are partnering to support Junior Achievement of Western New York. For every save the Sabres make in the month of February, First Niagara and the Sabres will donate $20 to Junior Achievement and their programs to empower local young people to own their economic success.

First Niagara, the Buffalo Sabres and Junior Achievement value the potential of every young person. Through this initiative, they are working together to inspire a generation to be financially capable and to succeed in the future.

"First Niagara believes in providing our young people with every opportunity to dream big and reach their full potential," said Elizabeth Gurney, executive director of the First Niagara Foundation. "We are proud to provide Junior Achievement with financial support and classroom volunteers across Western New York. Their experiential learning programs are teaching local students essential money management skills and helping them learn how they can have an impact on the world around them."

"The Buffalo Sabres are proud to make a donation for every goal saved in February to Junior Achievement's efforts to provide college and career-ready learning opportunities for our young people. We see our involvement as an investment in the next generation of business leaders," said Rich Jureller, Buffalo Sabres director of community relations

"Junior Achievement is grateful for this collaboration between First Niagara and the Sabres to support our work-readiness and financial literacy programs. Their efforts will enable us to continue to teach important lifelong lessons that position young people for long-term success," said Laurie Mahoney, president of Junior Achievement WNY.

The Buffalo Sabres Foundation is a New York not-for-profit corporation committed to stimulating, supporting and encouraging organizations that serve Western New York and are committed to youth hockey initiatives; the health, wellness and education of underprivileged/disadvantaged youth and military personnel; and physically and mentally challenged athlete.

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating students in grades K-12 about financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness through experiential, hands-on programs. Junior Achievement of WNY enriches the lives of more than 13,700 students in 157 schools and community organizations throughout the eight counties of Western New York. JA's success is due to its many supporters and more than 560 volunteers. For more information about Junior Achievement, visit www.jawny.org.