House Republican Press Release

October 3, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Noujaim Works with First Light Power Resources to Secure Grant for Wheeler-Young VFW

$10,000 Grant from First Light to Help Fund Construction of New Home for Post 201

Advocating on behalf of Wheeler-Young VFW Post 201, state Representative Selim Noujaim worked with officials from FirstLight Power Resources to secure a $10,000 grant from the company that will help fund construction of a new post home for the veterans group.

FirstLight Power Resources will operate The Waterbury Generation Project, a 96 megawatt generator that is being built on a brownfield site on Washington Avenue in Waterbury.

“The Wheeler-Young Post has been providing charitable services for veterans, children and needy Waterbury residents for almost nine decades and needs to replace its old building with a new, modern facility that will be fully accessible to the disabled. The new post home will be built on one level to help its World War II veterans who have difficulty climbing stairs or are handicapped,” said Representative Noujaim, R-Waterbury.

“The post’s need for a new building seemed to mesh perfectly with FirstLight’s announced intention to help local non-profit organizations as part of its ‘good neighbor’ philosophy. When the post asked for my help in securing a grant to help them build their new post home, I contacted First Light’s top management people and asked for their assistance,” Representative Noujaim said.

“I was honored to serve as an advocate for Wheeler-Young and I thank FirstLight for its generous contribution to our local VFW post. Our veterans fought for our freedom and our way of life. The Wheeler-Young Post’s need for a new, modern facility offered a great opportunity to give back to them for their wartime service and for their efforts on behalf of our city and its people for so many years,” Representative Noujaim said.

“On behalf of the members of Wheeler-Young VFW Post 201, we would like to thank FirstLight Power Resources for their generous donation of $10,000 that will assist us in the construction of our new post home. The funding they provided will definitely help us achieve our goal,” said Post Commander Al Philibert.

“FirstLight is pleased to make a contribution to this worthwhile organization to help in the construction of its new headquarters,” FirstLight President and Chief Executive Officer Curt Morgan said.

The grant will be presented at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7^th at the Wheeler-Young Post at 1338 Baldwin Street, Waterbury.