At United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s Annual Meeting, a 2014 Community Builder Award was presented to Damariscotta Bank & Trust Company for wide-ranging support of local people and nonprofits.

“Damariscotta Bank & Trust donates money and resources to many organizations such as YMCAs, Rotary and Lions clubs, food banks, libraries, hospitals and schools,” said United Way Executive Director Barbara Reinertsen.

“Employees volunteer time to help out in many different ways, participating in fundraising walks for breast cancer awareness and to support diabetes research. They serve on non-profit boards and committees, including United Way’s Campaign Cabinet, and Success By 6. Employees support United Way. They also contribute to a dress-down fund, which is used to give help when a family is facing a tragedy, and to purchase meals for families in need. Damariscotta Bank and Trust supports many community events, and you can see its employees in the thick of activities such as the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest, the Pemaquid Oysterfest and the Pirate Rendezvous,” said Reinertsen. “We are proud to give United Way’s Community Builder Award to Damariscotta Bank & Trust.”

Heidi Shott of Newcastle, Canon for Communications and Social Justice at the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, was elected to United Way’s Board of Directors. She currently serves on United Way’s Basic Needs/Safety Net Council. Also elected or reelected to the board were Rick Bohan of L.L. Bean and Dodie Jones of Brunswick.

Connie Jones of Boothbay Harbor and Boothbay Region Senior Services was elected as second vice chair of United Way’s board. She serves on United Way’s board, nominating committee, and campaign cabinet. George Reichert of the Times Record was elected as chair of the board, Police Chief Mike Field as first vice chair, and Matt Orlando, comptroller of Bowdoin College, was elected as treasurer.

The Annual Meeting focused on “first steps” and children. “Taking the first step to learn takes courage if you’re an adult who has never learned to read very well,” said current United Way Board Chair Dennis Unger. “Taking steps toward independence can be hard if you are in economic crisis, elderly, or disabled.”

“With United Way, we can all help each other take the first step toward a better life.”

Keynote speaker Claire Berkowitz, executive director of the Maine Children’s Alliance and Bath resident, gave up-to-date information on the number of Maine children who live in poverty, are in state custody, or have experienced abuse or neglect.

“Children exposed to violence, abuse, neglect, or extreme poverty can have lifelong difficulties with key developmental indicators for school readiness: learning, memory, and self-regulation,” said Berkowitz.

“A strong foundation in the early years is what drives positive outcomes later. We know that children’s brains are literally being built in the early years, and it is stable, consistent relationships with caring adults in their families and communities that are the building materials.”

United Way initiatives highlighted at the meeting include a successful Volunteer Drive to recruit hundreds of readers, tutors, and mentors for youth, a major Symposium on “Communities in Action: Improving Children’s Mental Health” held at Bowdoin College, and a planned Home Visiting initiative to greatly scale up outreach and support to new parents.

Berkowitz said that home visitors “work in partnership with expectant parents and parents of babies and toddlers to ensure safe home environments, promote healthy growth and development, and provide key connections for families to needed services in their community.”

Reinertsen gave examples of local people of all ages whose lives were improved thanks to United Way-funded programs. “We are so proud of all of our excellent partner agencies, whose staff and volunteers provide such good care for our families, coworkers, friends and neighbors — every day of the year,” said Reinertsen.

At the meeting Maria Hinteregger, United Way’s associate director of community Impact, was thanked and honored for her 15 years of service to United Way.

In his closing remarks, incoming Chair George Reichert said he was excited about the impact United Way’s work could have on Mid Coast Maine’s young children, including the grandchild he is expecting any day. “United Way includes everybody. We welcome everyone to continue to be part of making Mid Coast Maine an even better place to live, and to create the Absolutely Best Childhood for our children,” he said.

United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. In partnership with thousands of donors, United Way works on community solutions in the areas of education, financial stability and health. It funds local programs that change thousands of lives in Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties, Brunswick and Harpswell.