Greater Waterbury YMCA Recipient of 1st In Nation AT&T Foundation Grant

The Greater Waterbury YMCA becomes the first charitable organization in the nation to receive a $25,000 grant from AT&T Foundation as part of its 25th anniversary celebration.

Greg Zupkus, a New Haven sales manager, nominated the Waterbury YMCA for the funding.

Four separate $25,000 grants will be awarded this year by AT&T Foundation to organizations in communities where employees live and work. The grants target non-profits in four focus areas: human services, arts and culture, education and the environment.

“We are delighted to name the Greater Waterbury YMCA the first of our 25th anniversary grant recipients,” said Laura Sanford, president-AT&T Foundation. “They are a major asset to the Waterbury community and epitomize the kind of non-profits that our foundation has supported during its lifetime.”

The grant will help the Waterbury YMCA complete a new playground for more than 400 kids who use the facility and its childhood development services.

“This grant will not only help with our playground project, “ said Andrew Roberts, ceo of the Greater Waterbury YMCA, “but having the support of a company like AT&T makes additional fundraising easier for us.”

During the past 25 years, AT&T Foundation and our employees have contributed to the communities where we live and work. Zupkus and the Greater Waterbury YMCA are a perfect example. He first became a member of the Waterbury YMCA more than 40 years ago, having grown up only a few blocks away. Over the years, Zupkus has served on committees, task forces and board of directors for the organization.

“Greg is an outstanding volunteer,” said Roberts. “He is unselfish, works hard and uses his community relationships to gain much-needed support for our organization.”