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Donation

The construction of the Regional Community YMCA looms in the background as Putnam Lions Club President Lea Therrien presents a check for $5,000 to Betty Hale, trustee of the Ymca and Newell D. Hale Foundation. Left to right: Putnam Lions Club members Melody Cassio, Romeo Blackmar, Therrien, Hale, Ann Russo, Barbara Chubbuck and Ronald P. Coderre.

 

Special to the Putnam Town Crier

PUTNAM — Members of the Putnam Lions Club led by President Lea Therrien and Incoming President Romeo Blackmar gathered at the site of the Regional Community YMCA off Kennedy Drive n support of the project.  The Y, which is currently under construction, is scheduled to open in 2016.

On hand for the presentation representing the local Y was Regional Community YMCA trustee Betty Hale and local fund-raising counsel Ronald P. Coderre of RPC Associates, LLC of Putnam.  During a brief ceremony President Therrien presented Hale with a check in the amount of $5,000 in support of the project.

“The Putnam Lions are proud to step forward as a community organization in support of this project.  Through the effort of our club membership we raise funds annually in support of worthwhile community organizations.  In part we’re supporting the types of programs that are encouraged by Lions International,” said Therrien in making the gift. 

The Putnam Lions Club, which boasts a membership of more than 60 members, supports numerous non-profit organizations and provides scholarships to local students.  The Club is known throughout the area for its Night of Giving, an annual event where their charitable distributions are presented.

“I’m pleased to accept this generous gift from the Putnam Lions Club.  This donation is a sign of the spirit of giving that these members symbolize.  This gift moves our fund-raising efforts closer to our goal.  I look forward to celebrating the grand opening surrounded by the Putnam Lions and the numerous other organizations, businesses and individuals who have made this effort a success,” said Hale.

The Regional Community YMCA is a 46,000-square foot facility located on land in Putnam donated by Wheelabrator- Putnam.  When complete it will feature an eight-lane competitive lap pool, a warm water pool, gymnasium, fitness and aerobic area, teen center, child watch area and community rooms.

The cost of the project is $14.6 million.  The initial $3 million was donated by the Newell D. Hale Foundation.  The State of Connecticut provided a $3.745 million grant and the YMCA of Greater Hartford Board of Trustees had committed $4 million.

A community campaign to raise $2.85 million is quickly moving toward its conclusion.  According to Coderre, more than $2.75 million has been raised with less than $100,000 needed to complete the fund-raising effort.

“We’re very pleased with the response from the community in response to our fund-raising efforts.  The people of northeastern Connecticut have been very generous.  This gift from the Putnam Lions Club brings us one step closer to achieving our goal.  We’re most appreciative of their support,” said Coderre.

One of the slogans of Lions International, which has 1.4 million members in 210 countries, is -  “Lions help where needed.”  Recognizing the need of the Regional Community YMCA the members of the Putnam Lions Club have responded in a big way.

“We appreciate the support we receive from the community when we put on special events or when our food trailer is at public events, so this is a way of thanking those who support us also.  We are putting the trust they’ve placed in us behind a great community project,” said Incoming President Blackmar.