On Tuesday, June 13, 2006, State Bank of Long Island and News 12 Long Island hosted a Students Making a Difference Awards Dinner at the Woodbury Country Club from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. News 12 Long Island has aired the Student Making a Difference program every Wednesday from December 2005-May 2006 which recognized Long Island students who were making a difference in their schools or community through acts of volunteerism. State Bank of Long Island was the sole sponsor of the program. The Awards Dinner honored the thirty-five students who were featured in the Students Making a Difference program throughout the school year.

(l to r): Danielle Campbell, News 12 Anchor, Cara Liebowitz, Andrew Titley,
Liz Burke, News 12, Molly Murray, and Thomas Goldrick,  Chairman and CEO

Each student received a Certificate of Recognition from State Bank and News 12 and a Certificate of Award from either Nassau or Suffolk County, depending on their place of residence. The students also received a check from State Bank of Long Island for $100. Three special awards were presented to students for their outstanding individual initiative in starting projects that have made a tremendous impact on their communities and beyond including:

Andrew Titley, a senior at Oceanside High School, founded his own international not-for-profit organization, Thai Book Drive Inc. Andrew has collected and shipped over 85,000 books for the needy in Thailand. He was inspired by his visit to Thailand when he observed that the children lacked school books. Andrew received a special award from State Bank of $1,000.

"State Bank of Long Island is a proud sponsor of the Students Making a Difference program," said Thomas F. Goldrick, Chairman and CEO of State Bank of Long Island. "We have been pleased to partner with News 12 Long Island to recognize the tremendous acts of selflessness that these students are displaying in their communities. All of the children recognized this school year are stellar role models for their generation and a true inspiration to both adults and children. We are proud of them all and wish them success in their future endeavors."