Home Depot donates $40,000 to Bronx YMCA construction

Real Estate Weekly, August 7, 2002

The Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement retailer, presented the Bronx YMCA with a check for $40,000 toward construction of a new, state-of-the-art facility.

The new Bronx YMCA will include a large swimming pool, health and wellness center, family computer center and other amenities. Construction of the facility began in October 2001 and is scheduled to be completed by January of next year.

Prior to the check presentation, approximately 100 third and fourth graders from the YMCA day camp took part in a Home Depot "Kids Workshop." The children learned helpful building tips from local Home Depot associates and together built sailboats from scratch.

"Home Depot is proud to be a part of a new beginning for the Bronx YMCA," said John Werthessen, regional manager for the Home Depot in the New York metro region. "With this new facility in place, the 'Y' can continue building a stronger community for generations to come."

The Home Depot currently operates 11 stores in New York City, including one on East Gunhill Road in the Bronx. The company is scheduled to open another Bronx store in September 2002 on Zerega Avenue.

"We are committed to being a good neighbor in the communities we serve," Werthessen added. "Supporting the 'Y' gives our company the opportunity to maintain this commitment."

Home Depot's progressive corporate culture includes a philanthropic budget of more than $25 million per year, which is directed back to the communities Home Depot serves and the interests of its employees through a Matching Gift program. The major focuses are to provide rehabilitation and development of affordable housing, programs to assist "at-risk" youth, environmental causes, and disaster recovery.

"This is the first full service YMCA facility to come to the Bronx in almost forty years," said Frank Cassano, executive director of the Bronx YMCA. "With this significant support from the Home Depot, we are one step closer toward achieving our goal of bringing the most modern facility to this great community," he added.