Press release from the Westbrook Foundation

Twice a year, in the spring and the fall, the Westbrook Foundation provides financial support in the form of grants to non-profit, non-political organizations whose work promotes and enhances the well-being and safety of the residents of Westbrook.

During the spring 2024 grants cycle, the foundation awarded $169,263 to 15 projects serving a range of stakeholders.

“We are privileged to be in a position to support the organizations that help strengthen the Westbrook community in so many critical ways,” said An-Ming Truxes, grants chair. “Every grant cycle, the foundation is excited by the range of projects represented in the applications that have wide impact on Westbrook residents of all ages.”

The spring 2024 grant recipients and their projects are as follows.

Bare Necessities, Inc.: $5,000 to purchase diapers and wipes to meet 70% of the monthly diaper need for approximately 125 unduplicated Westbrook babies.

Camp Hazen YMCA: $3,000 to provide financial assistance for two Westbrook youngsters to attend a two-week session of overnight camp and four to attend a two-week session of day camp each.

Friends of the Westbrook Public Library: $18,512 to purchase new tables and chairs for the Community Room, including 12 nesting rectangular 36x60 tables, 60 stacking chairs, and two transport dollies for chairs.

High Hopes Therapeutic Riding: $5,000 to provide financial assistance for Westbrook residents to participate in in High Hopes’ equine-assisted activities serving approximately 20 to 25 Westbrook residents and 5 to 10 volunteers.

Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore CT: $4,300 to purchase new computer equipment, including three new desktop computers, one laptop computer, and applicable software, including installation, configuration, and data transfer.

Safe Harbor, Inc.: $13,992 to replace 24 range hood tops, 18 bath room vanities/sinks, and install six ADA toilets in the residential units of Safe Harbor.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church: $4,800 to install two new air conditioners in the church’s worship space and to fund a land survey of the church’s parcel at 53 South Main Street.

Town of Westbrook: Harbor Management Commission: $3,165 to purchase two Sealite marker buoys and assemble two 200-pound moorings, shackles, and swivels to be used as replacements in case of loss or damage.

Town of Westbrook: Department of Public Works: $1,568 to replace bridges on the red trail of the Town Forest.

Town of Westbrook: Department of Public Works: $55,000 to install a new historically accurate roof and gutter system to preserve the structural integrity of the historic Bushnell House.

Tree Lighting Committee: $5,207 to replace worn holiday banners, purchase a directional microphone for better quality sound, retrench and replace underground audio cables for the sound system, and purchase overhead lights for better illumination and safety.

Westbrook Congregational Church: $40,000 to update the electrical systems, painting, and the replacing of the worn carpeting in the main sanctuary in preparation for the 300th celebration of the establishment of the 1st Ecclesiastical Society of West Saybrook (aka the First Congregational Church of Westbrook).

Westbrook Garden Club: $1,884 to create an authentic colonial garden on the site of the Bushnell property.

Westbrook Historical Society: $4,500 to support four one-hour workshops provided by the Witness Stones Project that will help the society expand research and restore the history and humanity of Toby (and other enslaved Westbrook residents); and for the preparation and delivery of one Witness Stone Memorial.

Westbrook Land Conservation Trust: $3,335 to prepare and file a mylar that maps property lines and monumentation for the purpose of documenting a safe and lawfully protected entrance that connects Lake Louise Drive to an extensive trail system, which includes land trust and town open spaces.

The next grant application deadline is Oct. 1. Eligible organizations are invited to apply via the foundation’s online grant portal. For more information, visit www.westbrookfoundation.org/grants.