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YMCA Event
Jim and Pat Calhoun pose with Thomas Borner, right, of Putnam Bank. The bank hosted a Regional YMCA event last week. Photo courtesy of Justine Gendreau of Just Shoot Me Photography.
Special to the Putnam Town Crier
“We will get this done,” said Thomas A. Borner, president and CEO of Putnam Bank.
An atmosphere of excitement and confidence was pervasive as approximately 100 corporate and financial friends and supporters of the Regional Community YMCA gathered and listened as speaker after speaker delivered words of encouragement regarding the proposed project.
Honorary Chairpersons of the $2.5 million campaign, Jim and Pat Calhoun along with General Chairman Dr. Garfield “Woodie” Danenhower and Vice Chairman Paul Kelly were on hand meeting and greeting guests as they arrived in the lobby of Putnam Bank.
“The YMCA is about family. It’s a place where people can gather, meet and enjoy healthy life styles” said Honorary Chairperson Pat Calhoun. “This Y will happen because of the philanthropy of the people of northeastern Connecticut.”
Picking up on the words of his wife, former UConn men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun said, “The Y was an integral part of Pat’s and my life as kids growing up in the Boston area. Many of my former players were helped along the way in life because of the Y. And the communities in our area are no different. The kids and people we see in our area every day will benefit from this YMCA.”
The Regional Community YMCA, a 49,000-square foot facility will be built on land off Kennedy Drive in Putnam that was donated by Wheelabrator-Putnam. The facility will have an eight-lane competitive pool, a warm water pool, a gymnasium, teen center and an exercise area. Currently an 18-member Board of Advisors, consisting of people from throughout the region is working in concert with the YMCA of Greater Hartford to finalize plans and ideas for the facility.
In remarks opening the program, Putnam Bank's Borner, who also serves as the Y Chairman for the Corporate and Financial Division, set the tone for the evening.
“As a young man my family and I used the Y in Norwalk where I was raised. Early on in the campaign my wife and I along with Putnam Bank made our commitment to this project because we realize how important these programs are to the health of our community,” said Borner.
“I urge all businesses and individuals to consider a pledge to the campaign. It’s our opportunity as leaders to leave a legacy for future generations. We will get this done,” promised Borner.
The cost of the overall project is $13 million. Thanks to a $3 million pledge from the Newell D. Hale Foundation, a grant from the state and the support of the YMCA of Greater Hartford a total of $11.5 million has been raised. Part of the total includes business and individual gifts of $2.250 million, which are part of a $2.5 million community campaign.
“We’re quickly approaching our community goal and I urge the local citizens to consider supporting this important Northeastern Connecticut project. We anticipate the day, in the near future, when we will put a shovel in the ground,” said James O’S Morton, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Hartford. Putnam Mayor Richard “Pete” Place and YMCA of Greater Hartford Chairman of the Board, Gary Wolff echoed the sentiments and words of the other speakers. “This was probably the most successful event of the campaign. It’s a sign that the people and businesses of the area are truly behind this effort,” said Kelly.