and Rich Leahy, president and CEO, Webster Five
Photo/submitted
Shrewsbury – The Webster Five Foundation, as part of the “Web of Caring to Make a Difference” program, has announced that it is donating $2,500 to the Shrewsbury Veteran's Council. The donation will support the Shrewsbury WWI Memorial Committee's project to construct a new memorial in front of the Beal School, located in the center of Shrewsbury, to replace the existing one that has deteriorated since being built in 1926.
Webster Five's Web of Caring to Make a Difference program, according to a press release from the bank, “reinforces the bank's long-term initiative to give back to the community by supporting local organizations that are building a stronger community.”
The Shrewsbury Veteran's Council??”which represents the members of Shrewsbury's three veterans” organizations??”is overseeing the efforts to raise funds for a new monument. In addition to the support from Webster Five, the ongoing fundraising help of Shrewsbury schoolchildren and residents as well as local businesses has played a critical role in getting this project off the ground, committee members said.
The new monument will be made of granite and feature the names of Shrewsbury soldiers on a panel commemorating the details of their involvement with the war. In addition, there will be a new park space for visitors to enjoy.
Richard T. Leahy, Webster Five president and CEO, stated, “We are excited to see the outcome of this project. It is truly a community initiative that we are honored to support.”
Frederick Russell, chair of the Shrewsbury World War I Memorial Committee, said, “This memorial will not only honor the legacy of eight Shrewsbury residents who made the ultimate sacrifice, but will represent a new legacy of those who sought to honor them. We are very grateful to Webster Five for their support.”
According to bank officials, Web of Caring to Make a Difference is a bank-wide community program created by Webster Five as a tangible means for the bank as an organization, and its employees as individuals, to make a positive impact by supporting local organizations that also are making a difference.
