Sen. Richard Blumenthal recognized a Fairfield gym owner for his years of service to the community Sunday.

During the pandemic, David Jetter, who has run Jetterbox Fitness Training for more than a decade, says he's in the fight of his life trying to the doors open.

Jetter, 58, was recognized for mentoring, running an inner-city youth boxing program and helping kids battle bullies. He also runs one of the only Black-owned businesses in the city.

Blumenthal is pushing to expand the federal Payroll Protection Program to help minority-owned businesses like the gym.

Jetter says he's staying positive in spite of all the challenges. He's hoping that somebody, either from the private or nonprofit sections, will step in and give him a hand at a critical moment so he can remain self-sufficient and keep giving back.

The Payroll Protection Program, part of the HEROES Act, could be voted on by the Senate as soon as this week.

Jetter says one-on-one fitness training, his speciality, is safer than working out at a big gym.