Jewett City Savings Bank has donated a battery-powered automated external defibrillator to the Griswold Public Schools.

According to Kevin C. Merchant, president and CEO, the donation was made to support the school system’s fundraising campaign to acquire a minimum of four of the life-saving devices, to ensure their availability for the school population.

The need for the defibrillators was brought to light by the tragic death of Larry Pontbriant, a Norwich Free Academy student, due to sudden cardiac arrest.
 
“We encourage everyone to join in this defibrillator fundraising effort to help save a life by donating to this worthy cause,” said Merchant.

The portable defibrillators cost approximately $2,000 each, and donations toward the purchase of additional units for the schools can be made by contacting Athletic Director Glenn LaBossiere at 376-7636.

Jewett City Savings Bank has a long tradition of involvement with the local schools, including providing academic and community service scholarships and class marshal awards and supporting activities such as Project Safe Graduation, Drama Department productions and the Booster Club.

Pictured from left to right: Yvonne Palasky, Chair, Griswold High School Parent Advisory Council; Glenn LaBossiere, Athletic Director, Griswold High School and AED fundraiser co-coordinator; Kevin Merchant, President and CEO, Jewett City Savings Bank; Dr. Mark Frizzell, Principal, Griswold High School; and Sharon DeRico, Griswold High School Health Aide and AED fundraiser co-coordinator.

2007 giving exceeds $50,000
The Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation recently awarded $32,000 to a total of 21 local non-profit civic and charitable groups, according to Foundation President Kevin C. Merchant.

Established in 2003 to reinforce, encourage, and support the Bank’s ongoing commitment to the well-being of the communities it serves, the Foundation has awarded more than $50,000 in grants this year alone.

Ten local fire and ambulance companies each received $1,000 for a variety of purposes from equipment and supplies to training programs and materials that will enhance their efforts to provide for the safety of local residents and property. Grant recipients included Atwood Hose Fire Company, Voluntown Community Ambulance, A.A. Young Hose and Ladder Co. #1, Moosup Fire Department, and Plainfield Fire Co. #1.

Also receiving $1,000 Foundation gifts were the Central Village Fire Co. #1, East Brooklyn Fire Department, Mortlake Fire Company, American Legion Ambulance Fund, Inc. and Oneco Fire Company.

At the opening of Jewett City Savings Bank’s new Dayville office earlier this year, the following fire companies each received a $600 donation from the Foundation: Attawaugan Fire Department, Danielson Fire Department, Dayville Fire Company, East Killingly Fire Department, South Killingly Fire Department and the Williamsville Fire Engine Company.

Libraries in Jewett City, Brooklyn, Moosup and Canterbury received a total of $8,750 in awards from the Foundation. The Slater Library and Fanning Annex was granted $3,000 to purchase a new copier for use by staff and the public. The Brooklyn Town Library Association received $2,800 to buy three laptop computers for its existing wireless network, available free to the public. The Aldrich Free Public Library in Moosup will use its $2,650 award to install an “Early Literacy Station” for youngsters, and the Canterbury Public Library will use the Foundation’s gift of $300 to educate patrons about carbon dioxide and how to reduce their “carbon footprint” and help address the issue of global warming.

The Foundation awarded Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut in Uncasville the amount of $2,000 to support its Patient Care Fund, which covers Hospice  supplies and services that are not reimbursed by insurance. The Griswold Regional Visiting Nurse Agency in Jewett City received $2,000 to continue the use of its telehealth monitoring system. A $3,000 gift to the St. Mary Food Pantry in Jewett City will help purchase food during the year for the needy families of the area.

The Thames Valley Music School in New London received a grant of $2,000 to provide scholarships for underprivileged students to participate in the Thames Valley Youth Symphony and string ensembles.  The Friends of Camp Quinebaug, Inc. will use its $500 gift from the Foundation for materials to implement a more-varied recreational program for individuals and their families.

United Community & Family Services in Norwich received $2,500 from the Foundation to purchase medical equipment to set up an exam room at its new Griswold site, and United Services, Inc. in Dayville will apply its $1,500 gift to implement a “Home and Community Safety Education” component to its PA/PEAS programs.

Additional grants awarded this year include $1,000 to each of the four area hospitals in response to their annual appeal campaigns; Backus Hospital in Norwich, Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, Natchaug Hospital in Mansfield, and Windham Hospital in Willimantic.  The BackusCare project will be receiving the second $5,000 pledge of a five-year campaign towards improving the emergency department, surgical services for inpatients and outpatients, medical-surgical inpatient units, and cancer care services.

Performing Arts of Northeast Connecticut is receiving a $1,000 grant to support the Children’s Educational Opera Program, which will enable nearly 3,000 fifth grade students from the 26-town area to attend a live performance.  The Slater Library Corporation in Jewett City also received a $1,000 grant in response to its annual campaign.