United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s 2022 fall campaign was marked with many successes and tremendous volunteer and donor support, Campaign Chair Mara Pennell announced at the organization’s Finale celebration at Bowdoin College’s Moulton Union Wednesday, Nov. 9.

The Campaign has raised $1,569,095, or 95% of goal, announced Pennell, vice president of Commercial Lending for Bath Savings.  “We are so, so close to the goal,” said Pennell.  “These are challenging times and our community needs us.  The campaign will continue. 

“We are asking people throughout the Mid Coast to help all of us - our family members, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and community - by raising $100,000 by the end of the year.  I know we can do it!  I cannot wait to see what we can do when we put our community first!”

All residents who can are asked to give by going online at www.uwmcm.org/donate, texting DONATE2UW to 41444, or sending a donation to United Way at 34 Wing Farm Parkway, Bath, ME 04530.

Donations help Mid Coast people in need with food, shelter, fuel assistance, health care, volunteer matches for isolated seniors, Big Brothers and Big Sisters for adolescents, home visiting for new parents, high-quality child care, and much more.  36 local agencies rely on United Way funding, as well as initiatives such as 211 Maine, the Diaper Project, the CA$H Coalition, and more.  More information on United Way’s results in improving lives can be found at www.uwmcm.org. 

“It will take our entire community to meet the big goals United Way is working toward:  giving children the best start in life, building financial stability, and helping all of us live the healthiest, most connected lives possible,” said Pennell in urging more people to contribute to the community effort.

Approximately 80 community leaders and volunteers attended the event celebrating the Campaign. Pennell and Board Chair Joel Merry thanked the volunteer Campaign Cabinet, Loaned Executives, Development Director Nicole Evans, and the rest of the United Way staff who organized and led the campaign.  In addition to Pennell, members of the Campaign Cabinet include: Bob and Barb McCue of Brunswick, Karianne Merry of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Cindy Tucci and Tara McCannell of L.L.Bean, Steve Bailey of the Maine School Management Association, Patrick Manuel of RSU 1, Karry Kane of Norway Savings Bank, Barbara Tuttle of Bath Savings, Kelly Creamer of LincolnHealth, and Chris Szalay of SEARCH.  This year’s Loaned Executives, who worked full-time on the campaign, include: Mike Cunningham of Hannaford, Kayla DeVito of L.L.Bean, and Tara McCannell of L.L.Bean. 

Awards presented

Campaign awards were presented at the Finale, including the overall Campaign Excellence Award, which went to Hannaford.  “Hannaford associates go above and beyond to ensure their local community gets the support it needs to thrive,” said Campaign Chair Pennell.  “They have outstanding participation from individual associates, and stores hold incredible fun and engaging special events involving the whole community.  United Way is honored to put Hannaford in the spotlight to celebrate all that you do – thank you!”

United Way’s Volunteer of the Year Award went to Megan Smith-Pinkham of Bath Savings. United Way Loaned Executives and staff nominated Megan for “the many years of service, leadership, and support you have provided to United Way, and to everyone we serve.”  Megan has been a leader of the Bath Savings United Way team, running organized, engaging employee meetings, complete with special events, incentives, and refreshments, that have led to outstanding participation and last year’s Campaign Excellence Award.  Megan has also participated in United Way’s fund distribution, and is always willing to help other workplaces, sharing best practices and ideas.

L.L.Bean and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works received Outstanding Organizational Support awards from United Way.  “Thanks to their incredible leadership and understanding of what it takes to support our community, L.L.Bean provided the campaign with two incredible Loaned Executives, ensuring we had the capacity to run the 2022 Campaign, and also provided numerous campaign incentives that brought our community together,” said Pennell.  “We cannot thank you enough for your generosity!”

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, which runs by far the largest campaign for United Way, received the Outstanding Organizational Support Award for the incredible effort it makes to reach thousands of employees with the United Way message, including bringing United Way representatives into the shipyard to speak alongside BIW volunteers.  Calling General Dynamics Bath Iron Works employees “the backbone” of United Way’s campaign, Pennell said “You have been, and continue to be by our side, shoulder-to-shoulder, to ensure United Way, our partners, and individuals and families across the Mid Coast and beyond, can thrive.  We are forever grateful!”   Together with retirees and the BIW corporate gift, BIW employees donated over $434,000 to the Campaign. 

Campaign Division Awards went to Woodex Bearing Company and MECO Seals (Commerce & Industry Division), MSAD 75 Schools (Education Division), Wright-Pierce (Financial and Professional Firms Division), LincolnHealth (Health Care Division), and Coastal Kids Preschool in Damariscotta (Public Service Division).  Additional great campaigns were held at Crooker Construction, Bowdoin College, RSU 1 and AOS 98-Boothbay Schools, the City of Bath, Morong Brunswick, and many other workplaces.

For more information, please visit www.uwmcm.org.