Connecticut Community Foundation press release:

July 15, 2021

John “Jack” Staver of Watertown, Connecticut, who died at the age of 80 in January 2018, bequeathed more than $ 5 million to create a permanent charitable fund at the Connecticut Community Foundation. Staver designated the fund to benefit the performing arts in the Greater Waterbury area, the maintenance and improvement of recreational facilities in the Town of Watertown and the general operations of the YMCA of Greater Waterbury.

This year, the YMCA of Waterbury used $ 10,000 of the $ 18,000 Staver Fund grant to help set up their playground at YMCA Camp Mataucha in Watertown. The remainder of the grant provided significant support for YMCA operations during the pandemic.

“The incredible support of the Staver Fund has enabled our YMCA to continue its mission during the closure due to COVID-19 and has strengthened our fundraising efforts for the installation of the playground at YMCA Camp Mataucha this summer” said Jim O’Rourke, CEO of the YMCA. “This ongoing donation will support many future projects at the YMCA for generations to come.”

Since 1923, when a small group of local leaders formed the Connecticut Community Foundation and pooled their financial resources to improve the quality of life for residents of Greater Waterbury, more than 500 people, businesses and organizations have established funds charities at the Foundation. By investing funds wisely over the years and always honoring the wishes of donors, the Foundation turns donations into annual grants to benefit non-profit organizations serving 21 towns in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills. The Staver Fund is managed in the same way by the Foundation.

“We are very grateful to people like John Staver who trust that we will use the donations they make through their domains to realize their charitable visions for the community. A legacy gift like John’s Legacy is deeply meaningful and deeply personal, and produces lasting benefits for generations to come, ”said Julie Loughran, President and CEO of the Connecticut Community Foundation. “The Staver Fund is an example of how a person’s generosity and desire to invest in community can touch thousands of lives.”

The Watertown Parks and Recreation Commission is also committed to honoring Staver’s legacy by improving the town’s recreational facilities.

Recently, the Commission approved the designation of the Crestbrook Park tennis courts as Jack Staver tennis courts in his honor. The public tennis courts – where Staver has played daily throughout his life – began rehabilitation the week of June 7, 2021 with a grant from the Staver Fund. The Commission has called for the tennis courts to be named as part of their reopening.

The Parks and Recreation Department is applying an additional $ 37,000 from the Staver Fund to complete the Watertown Dog Park. The credit will finance the fence, signage, benches, parking and site preparation.

Established in 1923, the Connecticut Community Foundation promotes an equitable and inclusive community in Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills by inspiring generosity, supporting organizations and developing effective leaders. The Foundation demonstrates leadership in addressing critical issues in the region, strengthens local nonprofits through grants and technical assistance programs, and works with individuals, families and businesses to establish and manage scholarships and charitable funds. Learn more about www.conncf.org.

This press release was produced by the Connecticut Community Foundation. The opinions expressed here are those of the author.