New York, NY, October 29, 2002 – The Charles Lafitte Foundation, a charitable organization founded by entrepreneur Jeffrey Citron, and his wife Suzanne, donated $10,000 to Kidsbridge Inc. today. The gift is the latest in a series of grants that the Citrons have made to groups dedicated to improving the quality of life of children. Kidsbridge Inc., a non-profit group based in Trenton, NJ, is dedicated to the celebration of human diversity, and children’s education. CLF’s donation will help fund the interactive children’s museum that Kidsbridge, Inc. is currently planning.
“We are happy about the progress that The Charles Lafitte Foundation is making, in terms of identifying and supporting groups committed to education and children’s advocacy,” said Jeffrey Citron, co-founder and board member. “The Kidsbridge Children’s Museum promises to be an exciting place where kids can have fun while learning, and we are honored to support its efforts.”
The Charles Lafitte Foundation identifies and supports non-profit groups that advance the causes of education, children’s advocacy, medical research and the arts. Kidsbridge, Inc. is a multifaceted organization that offers creative educational forums, free seminars, camps, day programs, as well as special programs for at-risk children. The museum, which will be located in Trenton’s redevelopment district, will have eight permanent exhibits, covering topics from careers to health and tolerance.
About The Charles Lafitte Foundation:
The Charles Lafitte Foundation is a private philanthropic organization founded by Suzanne and Jeffrey Citron. A multifaceted, multi-purposed organization comprised of four distinct project areas, CLF strives to affect innovative change in the areas of education, children’s advocacy, medical research and the arts. Contributions range from single donations to on-going project funding and volunteer work. Grant proposals may be submitted via the organization’s web site, www.charleslafitte.org. Preference is given to proposals and programs that foster significant change for many individuals.
About Jeffrey Citron:
Jeffrey Citron is a technology pioneer and visionary who transformed the financial services industry. As Chairman and CEO of Vonage, Mr. Citron aims to redefine yet another industry — telecommunications. Some of the more revolutionary financial services developments over the past decade were spearheaded by Mr. Citron. In 1995, Mr. Citron founded The Island ECN, a computerized trading system designed to eliminate the problems associated with order execution. The Island ECN was recently acquired by Instinet Group for $503 million dollars. Today, the newly merged company is one of the largest global financial exchanges, and is responsible for more than one in four NASDAQ trades. Following on the success of The Island ECN, Mr. Citron founded and became the Chairman and CEO of Datek Online Holdings Corp. as Datek transitioned into the online brokerage industry. Under his leadership, Datek had grown to become the fourth largest online brokerage in the US, and was recently acquired by Ameritrade Holdings for $1.3 billion dollars. The newly merged company, with nearly 3 million customers, is now the second largest online financial services firm behind the Charles Schwab Company. Mr. Citron departed Datek in 1999 and, recognizing a similar opportunity, founded Vonage.
Apart from his entrepreneurial activities, Mr. Citron is continually pursuing philanthropic initiatives. He currently serves on the board of the Montclair Art Museum and through his family foundation routinely funds medical research, supports the Arts and dedicates his time and resources to children’s charities.
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For more information, contact:
Ruder Finn
212.715.1694
woodsa@ruderfinn.com
Jennifer Vertetis
Charles Lafitte Foundation
Contact Jennifer here