Representatives from NECA-IBEW Electricians presented a $5,000 check to the Youngstown State University Foundation to help establish a fund earmarked for the unique needs of veteran students.
The newly established “Veterans Center Endowment Fund,” largely spearheaded by Youngstown attorney Carl Nunziato, is administered by the YSU Foundation and is accepting contributions from the community.
NECA-IBEW Electricians helped fund an endowment though the YSU Foundation that will help veterans in their studies. Pictured presenting the check (from the left) are Dan Santon (Santon Electric), Jack Savage (MV NECA), Jack Morse (IBEW Local 573), Brian Wolf (YSU Foundation) and Jim Burgham (IBEW Local 64).
“The fund’s intent is to help veterans overcome the kinds of unplanned, emergency expenses that tend to interfere with their ability to attend class and focus on their education,” said Maj. Rick Williams, YSU Veterans Resource Center coordinator.
NECA-IBEW Electricians, a local association of signatory electrical contractors and IBEW union locals in Warren and Youngstown, supports many veterans’ causes throughout the Mahoning Valley. The organization felt an immediate connection to the importance of this program, according to Jim Geller, former owner of Geller Electric, Inc. and current YSU Foundation Trustee.
“When Carl Nunziato informed us of the new endowment fund to assist the Veterans Resource Center at YSU, labor and management were quick to agree that we would like to help,” Geller said. “Since our collective bargaining agreement provides monies for the betterment of our industry and the community, it was an easy and popular decision to agree to assist the veteran students, YSU and the YSU Foundation.”