Waterbury Regional Chamber's Y.P.O.W.R. Donates 290 Blankets To Local Non-Profit Organizations

Over the last four years, more than 1,000 blankets have been collected and distributed to local nonprofits through the works of the Young Professionals of Waterbury Regional (YPOWR), an umbrella organization of the Waterbury Regional Chamber.

The organization’s fourth annual “Warm Someone’s Heart Blanket Drive” concluded November 27, 2017 with 290 blankets collected throughout the region with the help of local businesses FD Community Credit Union, Seven Angels Theater, Mathnasium of Naugatuck Valley, Urology Specialists in Middlebury, Health Complex Medical of Waterbury and Premier Subaru in Watertown, and a collection day that was held outside the WalMart Supercenter in Naugatuck.

Y.P.O.W.R. Creator and Director, and Waterbury Regional Chamber Director of Special Events Director, Courtney Ligi commented that “Each year our volunteers collect hundreds of lightly-used and new blankets and monetary gifts to support six local charitable organizations. The group collects the much-needed blankets and monetary contributions and donates them to Acts 4 Ministry, Inc.; Greater Waterbury YMCA; the Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries; St. Vincent De Paul Mission Homeless Shelter; Salvation Army of Waterbury; New Opportunities, Inc.’s Meals on Wheels Program; and Naugatuck YMCA.

“The blankets and funds, which are complemented with donations from six local area businesses, help provide much-needed warmth to elderly people, families, children, and individuals throughout the greater Waterbury region,” stated Ligi.

Jack Hogan, Health Complex Medical President and CEO and blanket drive collector stated “It’s very important for our organization to get involved and support the communities in Connecticut that we serve.  “Health Complex Medical has been involved in The Warm Someone’s Heart Blanket Drive for several years and hopes to be for many more years to come. Our team at Health Complex Medical will never shy away from a worthwhile cause.”

Naugatuck YMCA CEO Susan Talbot commented, “The day after we distributed the new, clean, warm and yes fuzzy blankets, I heard from a Mom about her son’s reaction to his ‘gift.’  The little boy immediately after his nightly shower, ran down to the couch and wrapped himself in his new blanket with his favorite book.  A little while later he informed his Mom that he was too comfortable to move and could she wake him when it was his bedtime. These blankets provide much more than warmth. They provide comfort and security.”

“Community service is a large part of YPOWR’s mission so we are very pleased to be contributing to the well-being of hundreds of people-in-need across the Greater Waterbury region,” added Ligi.

The mission of Y.P.O.W.R. is to energize young professionals aged 21 to 39 who are looking to grow their careers in the Waterbury area by engaging them in positive opportunities for professional development, educational, social and community service.

Photographed on the day of distribution of the 290 contributed blankets at the end of the 2017 drive were (left to right), back row: Erik Anthony, FD Community Credit Union; Ashley Cocuzzi, Thomaston Savings Bank; James Higgins, Webster Bank; and Caitlyn Sheedy, FD Community Credit Union. Front row: Christina Boisvert, Servpro of Naugatuck Valley and New Haven; Roxane Sanders and Stephanie Harris of the Mattatuck Museum.

To learn more, visit www.ypowr.org, or contact Y.P.O.W.R Director Courtney Ligi at info@ypowr.org or call 203-757-0701.