AvalonBay Joins Forces With USA WEEKEND Make a Difference Day

Company will rally its residents and employees nationwide to volunteer on the most encompassing national day of helping others

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE: AVB) announced today that it is participating as a partner in USA WEEKEND's Make A Difference Day, the most encompassing national day of volunteer service. This annual event celebrates neighbors helping neighbors to improve communities through coordinated volunteer projects.

"We are proud to be a part of the largest day of volunteerism in the United States," said Bryce Blair, Chairman and CEO. "The 'Spirit of Caring' is a core value of AvalonBay, and we are happy to contribute to this important day with the strength and goodwill of our communities."

With over 50,000 apartment homes in ten states, AvalonBay anticipates a large level of participation across the country. AvalonBay residents will decide on volunteer projects to organize or participate in for one day in their area.

Projects can range from ambitious undertakings, such as collecting truckloads of clothing for the homeless, to personal altruistic acts like spending an afternoon helping an elderly neighbor or relative. Each year, hundreds of the projects done on Make A Difference Day are selected for honors and charitable donations.

"We are thrilled that AvalonBay's employees and residents nationwide will be involved in this important day," said Marcia Bullard, President & CEO of USA WEEKEND Magazine. "AvalonBay is the first apartment developer and owner to make such a significant commitment to Make A Difference Day. It is great example of how business leaders can have a positive impact in their communities."

About USA WEEKEND and Make a Difference Day

USA WEEKEND Magazine is a national weekly magazine distributed by more than 600 newspapers in the United States. Awarded for its journalism and design, USA WEEKEND focuses on social issues, entertainment, health, personal finance and travel. The magazine's Make A Difference Day is the nation's largest annual day of community service. Its website, usaweekend.com, provides enhanced content and interactive magazine features. USA WEEKEND is part of the Gannett Co.

USA WEEKEND's Make A Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of October. Created by the magazine in 1992, the event has grown into the largest community service effort in the nation, rallying corporations, government leaders, charitable organizations and everyday Americans into action on one day. Each year, 3 million people participate worldwide, helping millions more.

About AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

As of March 31, 2008, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 183 apartment communities containing 52,167 apartment homes in ten states and the District of Columbia, of which 22 communities were under construction and eight communities were under reconstruction. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in high barrier-to-entry markets of the United States. More information may be found on the Company's website at the following address http://www.avalonbay.com.

    Contact:  Mounir Ibrahim
              Grayling Global
              (646) 284-9474
              mibrahim@hfgcg.com

SOURCE AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

Released June 17, 2008