A construction company in New Britain celebrated its 85th year in business by giving back to the community.
On Tuesday there was a big announcement at Downes Construction Company in New Britain.
“I think it’s going to bring about togetherness,” John Downes, Downes Construction Company president, said.
Downes unveiled an expanded community giving program as the company marks 85 years in business.
We’re told the initiative was modeled after the “Ana Grace Project,” which was founded after the Newtown tragedy and has a motto, “Love Wins.”
“It’s all about love. There is so much hate and negativism in the world today. So we just wanted to emphasize the love of life,” Downes said.
On Tuesday, the company opened its heart and handed out big donations.
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Downes is writing $1,000 checks to each of the 12 elementary school in the New Britain school district.
And on Tuesday they honored teachers from three of the schools.
“I was in shock. I was very grateful and very humbled,” Cathy Scanlon, Gaffney Elementary School, said.
“We work with students who are in need. So as a district this will give us a great opportunity to provide education and incentives for them,” Tamika Anderson, New Britain Transitional Center, said.
The money will help buy supplies for the kids.
Downes is also writing a $5,000 check for the next five years to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Hartford and helping with a training program at The WorkPlace of Bridgeport.
Decades of hard work are now helping to raise future generations.
“Rather than us celebrating our accomplishments what we thought was it would be a good opportunity for us to give back to the community,” Joe Desautel, Downes Construction Company CEO, said.
