Press Release

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) (NYSE: ED) today shared the holiday spirit with 50 children from Bronx homeless shelters. They received some of the 3000 toys collected by Con Edison employees during their first Toys for Tots drive. Complementing the joyful occasion, the Bronx Zoo "Holiday Lights" served as a magical backdrop for the distribution of gifts to the children.

Also in attendance were Gail McMillan, director of Bronx Public Affairs for Con Edison; Antonio Rodriguez, director of Special Events for the NYC Department of Homeless Services; Richard Lattis, senior vice president and general director of the Wildlife Conservation Society; members of the United States Marine Corps; and "Holiday Lights" characters "Blizzard the Polar Bear" and "Sammy the Snowman."

"We at Con Edison are delighted to be a part of the Toys for Tots program, sharing the holiday cheer with New York City's less fortunate children," said Frances Resheske, Con Edison's vice president for Public Affairs. "As corporate sponsors of the Bronx Zoo "Holiday Lights" we can think of no better setting for these youngsters to receive their holiday gifts than in this winter wonderland."

After receiving their gifts, children were treated to dinner, a tour among the 140 lighted animal sculptures, storytelling by LuAnne Adams, ice-carving demonstrations by Paul Magnaldi and other amenities at the Bronx Zoo.

Established by Major Bill Hendricks in Los Angeles in 1947, Toys for Tots expanded nationally as a community action project. Today, Marines and volunteers collect and distribute nearly 14 million toys in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and American Samoa.

Con Edison (NYSE: ED) is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $9 billion in annual revenues and $16 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than three million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York. For additional financial, operations and customer service information, visit Con Edison's web site at http://www.coned.com. SOURCE Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.

CONTACT: Brenda Perez of Con Edison, 212-460-4111/