Feature News

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pastor Sam Thompson, a WWII veteran and now pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Church in Clover, S.C., and his wife Annie Thompson have devoted most of their lives to giving back to their community and their country. Today, Elizabeth Hartley, a friend of the Thompsons, is saying thanks to the couple with a $10,000 cash award from Wachovia.

Hartley -- a Wachovia customer for more than eight years -- is the grand prize winner in Wachovia's second annual Who Would You Thank? contest, which gives Americans an opportunity to say thank you to someone special in their lives. Hartley's winning essay, chosen from more than 4,000 entries, described the selfless nature of the Thompsons.

"These are just two people, serving their neighbors who are hungry and teens who are in trouble and expecting nothing in return," said Hartley. "They are joyful, amazing people. If anyone deserves the thanks of thousands, it is Sam and Annie Thompson."

Known well by their community as Pastor Sam and Miss Annie, the couple runs programs ranging from food for the hungry to housing for the homeless. The couple founded God's Kitchen, which provides 150 meals to the needy five days a week. They also opened the Lighthouse Shelter and Thrift Store, providing shelter to hundreds each year. In addition, Pastor Sam and Miss Annie take in teens in trouble and run tutoring and mentoring programs for struggling children and a housing renewal program for those living in deteriorating homes.

Wachovia's initiation of the contest began through a desire to express gratitude to customers in celebration of National Customer Service Week. This year's contest, which ran from Aug. 25 through Oct. 10, encouraged consumers to thank a person who has made a significant impact on their life by nominating them for the contest. Wachovia awarded the winners with a cash prize to use to thank their nominee in time for Thanksgiving.

"Community service is a cornerstone of the Wachovia culture, and it is fitting that the winners of this contest are so devoted to giving back," said Janet Sharp, Wachovia's Customer Experience Executive for the Community Region. "We are honored to help Elizabeth thank the Thompsons for their tireless contributions to the community."

Exceptional customer service is a hallmark of Wachovia, as shown by the company's No. 1 ranking for seven consecutive years in the American Customer Satisfaction Index, a cross-industry survey of consumer satisfaction conducted by the University of Michigan'sRoss School of Business.

"This contest is an important reflection of the spirit of gratitude inherent in Wachovia's culture," said Andrea Bierce, director of Customer Experience and Loyalty. "We deeply value our customers and this contest is another way of showing our appreciation by giving our customers the opportunity to thank others."

About Wachovia

Wachovia Corporation (NYSE: WB) is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services companies, with assets of $764.4 billion and market capitalization of $7.6 billion at September 30, 2008. Wachovia provides a broad range of retail banking and brokerage, asset and wealth management, and corporate and investment banking products and services to customers through 3,300 retail financial centers in 21 states from Connecticut to Florida and west to Texas and California, and nationwide retail brokerage, mortgage lending and auto finance businesses. Globally, clients are served in selected corporate and institutional sectors and through more than 40 international offices. Our retail brokerage operations under the Wachovia Securities brand name manage more than $1.0 trillion in client assets through 14,600 financial advisors in 1,500 offices nationwide. Online banking is available at wachovia.com; online brokerage products and services at wachoviasec.com; and investment products and services at evergreeninvestments.com.