Thursday was one of those special days in the Valley when the community comes together to celebrate something extraordinary. This time, it was the ribbon cutting and official grand opening of the new Joel E. Smilow Clubhouse for the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley's new Ansonia location. A raft of local dignitaries, donors and supporters were on hand, but it was Mr. Smilow himself who stole the show with his remarks.

Mr. Smilow was the major donor to the construction of the new project having contributed $2,000,ooo of the $5,000,000 cost. However, in his very humble remarks, he actually thanked the Club for giving him the opportunity to contribute to such a significant project that will affect the lives of generations of children to come. He urged other potential donors who have the means to do similar things to do so now and not wait to make bequests at their deaths. He pointed out that many people have seen investment losses in the last two years, but he noted that his contribution to the Boys & Girls Club is actually an investment that not only did not decrease in value, but is already paying dividends!

The facility is an incredible asset to the City of Ansonia and we want to congratulate not only the Boys & Girls Club, but also Ansonia Mayor Jim DellaVolpe and his administration for their support in making the project happen.

We also want to congratulate Sue Reilly and her team at the Valley YMCA which will also be opening a greatly needed day care center in another portion of the building. This cooperative spirit by two of the Valley's leading nonprofit youth agencies is another tribute to what can be accomplished when we work together.

Valley United Way is proud to support the work of these two outstanding agencies and to have also been a major donor to the project.