Trumbull Veterans & First Responders Center Seeks Donations

Press release from the Town of Trumbull:

Nov. 3, 2021

First Selectman Vicki Tesoro and Raymond G. Baldwin Jr., Chairman of the Trumbull Veterans and First Responders Center (TVFRC) Building Committee, are launching an individual and corporate fundraising campaign ahead of Veterans Day. The proposed 5,500 square foot facility will be located at 1 Veterans Circle at Kaatz Pond. The project is fully designed and “shovel ready.” The town and the building committee are pursuing funds for the construction from federal and state sources. The individual and corporate donations will make up any additional money needed for construction and fund the furnishings, equipment, and program operations for the Center.

“The TVFRC will be a multi-use facility for our veterans, first responders, civic and business groups, and town boards and commissions to use. There are over 3,000 veterans in Trumbull and over 30,000 in the region that need better access to services. Our local veterans groups are in need of a new home as the building on the same site has been condemned. Our first responders have increased training requirements and are in need of additional training space in the area. We will continue to be responsive to our veterans and first responders since they do so much for us,” stated First Selectman Tesoro.

Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, former police officer, and former First Selectman Ray Baldwin, who now chairs the building committee, has been actively promoting the center for several years to all segments of the community. “We have seen unprecedented community support for this project. Everyone is excited. There is nowhere from New Haven to Stamford for veterans to receive access to services. We plan to close this gap. Our first responders from the region will use this facility for training, including dive team and water rescue training. Our civic groups, businesses, and boards will use the facility. The community will be able to rent the facility for showers, birthday parties, weddings, and other events which will create a revenue stream to fund, in part, the ongoing operations once constructed.”

A variety of opportunities to memorialize veterans and first responders are available. Donations of any size are welcomed.

“Various donation levels have been established. Opportunities to sponsor rooms, benches and other aspects of the building are available. There is an opportunity to honor family who are veterans and/or first responder in the Patriots Gallery. They don’t have to be from Trumbull. Our “Wall of Contributors” will recognize all contributors. We are just launching our individual and corporate campaign and we have already raised $23,000. We look forward to someone coming forward to sponsor and name our large gathering and meeting rooms. Please join us and help spread the word,” stated Dan Sacco, VFW and American Legion member, Army Vietnam veteran and building committee member.

For more information on donation opportunities and how to donate using a credit card, PayPal or by check, please visit the website at www.trumbullvfrc.org or contact Rina Bakalar, Director of Economic and Community Development at 203-452-5043 or rbakalar@trumbull-ct.gov. The website also offers a virtual tour, construction update and history of the project and site.

This press release was produced by the Town of Trumbull. The views expressed here are the author's own.