National Grid Awards $20,000 Grant to the Rockaway Y at Arverne by the Sea

ARVERNE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

On Wednesday, October 22, National Grid awarded a $20,000 grant to the YMCA of Greater New York for the newly constructed Rockaway Y at Arverne by the Sea, which has quickly become an anchor of the community since the facility opened in February of this year. The location provides valuable services to local residents in an area still fighting to recover from the effects of Hurricane Sandy.

The grant helps support environmentally sustainable equipment and features in the building that allow the branch to save energy for years to come and is through National Grid's Cinderella Grant program. The Cinderella Grant program is a key part of the company's commitment to the environment and to improving the quality of life in the communities in which its employees live and work. The program has run for 40 years, providing grants to projects that encourage energy efficiency and conservation.

“National Grid has a long history of working with many organizations to support the local communities,” said Mike Ruiz, Director, National Grid-Community and Customer Management. “We are happy to have this opportunity to help the YMCA provide a valuable resource for the community that will also provide energy savings for years to come. The Cinderella Program is a major part of National Grid's commitment to sustainability and the environment and to improving the quality of life in the communities in which we live and work.”

Since opening its doors earlier this year, the Rockaway Y at Arverne by the Sea has welcomed thousands of new members, becoming an instant community hub for a neighborhood still rebounding from the impact of Hurricane Sandy.

“We are extremely grateful for this gift,” said Rick Hopkins, Executive Director of the Rockaway Y at Arverne by the Sea. “The YMCA of Greater New York has long been committed to strengthening the foundations of community, and this grant will help us do just that.”

About National Grid

National Grid NG is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks. The company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society - to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and develop an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. National Grid holds a vital position at the center of the energy system and it ‘joins everything up'. In the northeast U.S., we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles. In Great Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

For more information please visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com. Follow us on Twitter, Watch us on YouTube, Friend us on Facebook, Find our photos on Instagram.

About the YMCA of Greater New York

The YMCA of Greater New York is, and always will be, dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves New York City's health and well-being and provides opportunities to give back and support neighbors. In scores of neighborhoods across the five boroughs and its camp upstate, the Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower more than 500,000 New Yorkers to learn, grow and thrive. Visit ymcanyc.org. Follow us on Twitter @ymcanyc and Facebook at facebook.com/ymcanyc.

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