Siblings establish fund for Shelton students at Valley Community Foundation

Susan and Bob Chlebowski

Shelton natives Bob Chlebowski and sister, Susan Chlebowski, have established a $250,000 scholarship fund at the Valley Community Foundation in memory of their parents to benefit a Shelton High School student. 

This scholarship will be awarded to a college-bound graduating senior selected by Shelton High School each year. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years per recipient.

Beth Smith, Headmaster of Shelton High School, said, “We are honored that this substantial scholarship fund will have a long-lasting impact on Shelton High School students for generations to come. We take pride in educating our students about the importance of giving back to the community. The Chlebowski family is an embodiment of that lesson and an inspiration, not only to the scholarship recipients that will receive this award, but to our whole student body at what can be accomplished when we give back.”

Chlebowski, an Executive Vice President with Wells Fargo in San Francisco, and his sister, Susan, a psychiatrist practicing in New York, grew up in Shelton. 

Their parents, Irene and Stan “Smiles” Chlebowski, were lifelong Valley residents who taught their children the importance of supporting the Shelton community from a very early age.

“Our parents always stressed the importance of education as a way to grow professionally and as a person,” said Bob Chlebowski. 

Susan Chlebowski added, “They made great sacrifices for our education and we could not think of a better way to honor them than by helping students in the years to come through this scholarship.”

Sharon Closius, President & CEO at the Valley Community Foundation, said, “This is an incredible example of public philanthropy empowering Valley students to succeed through education. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Chlebowski family for creating a real difference in the lives of students who may not have the means to continue their academic endeavors.”

For details to contribute to this scholarship, or another award program benefiting Shelton High School students, contact the Valley Community Foundation, 203-751-9162.

Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes hundreds of thousands of grant dollars each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. 

In addition to grantmaking, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. 

To learn how your gifts of cash, life insurance, appreciated stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets can help to support the quality of life in the Valley, visit the website at www.valleyfoundation.org or contact VCF President, Sharon Closius, at sclosius@valleyfoundation.org or 203-751-9162.

This is a press release from the Valley Community Foundation.