United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s Campaign leaders announced at the Campaign Finale that the campaign has raised $1,850,538, approximately $49,000 under the $1.9 million goal. 

“We’re not done yet!” said Lennie Burke of Norway Savings Bank, campaign co-chair with her husband, Bob Beaumont, a chaplain with CHANS Hospice. “We’ll keep working to get closer to the goal so that as many people as possible can get the help they need.”

“We thank in advance everyone who will give or pledge by the end of the calendar year,” said Bob Beaumont. “Many of our residential and professional donors give then. We’re including you, and counting on you, to reach the announced results.” There also are a few workplace campaigns and corporate gifts coming up.

Donations can be sent to United Way of Mid Coast Maine, 34 Wing Farm Parkway, Bath, ME 04530. People can also call 207-443-9752 to give by credit card, ask to be billed, give monthly via credit card or bank debit, or contribute stocks or securities. All individuals in Midcoast Maine are included in the community effort and encouraged to give. More information on United Way’s results in improving lives, including this year’s local video, can be found at www.uwmcm.org. 

In many ways, the Campaign was very successful. It faced challenges to reach the goal in part because of some major givers’ ability to donate less this year, and many long-time donors retiring from local workplaces. New employee campaigns and corporate gifts, and increases in individual giving, successfully made up much, but not all, of the reductions. 

Three Lincoln County organizations received United Way Division Awards for their campaigns.  Lincoln County Healthcare received the Health Division Award for running an excellent campaign, and topping last year’s award-winning results to raise over $27,000. Their Campaign managers Lisa Bowers and John Hepburn were praised for their work, along with Food Service Director Tom Schwarz, who came up with several creative and fun food events, such as free omelets, ice cream, and fruit parfaits, to encourage giving.

Employees of AOS 93, Central Lincoln County schools, were also highlighted at United Way’s Finale. They increased their giving by 81 percent at an all-staff rally, and then collected over 6,000 diapers for United Way’s Diaper Project to help struggling parents and their babies. Ellen Dickens of AOS 93 was presented with United Way’s Education Division Award, on behalf of Superintendent Steve Bailey and all the school system’s employees.

Wiscasset business Fogg Art Restoration won United Way’s Local Business Award. In presenting the award, Campaign Co-chair Burke noted the business has a national reputation for restoring paintings and museum-quality framing, and thanked Peter and Teresa Fogg for their in-kind donation of producing United Way’s awards for many years and their work with local residents framing special family photos or artwork. 

“They also spread the word about United Way, and recently asked for a new stack of our 2-1-1 “Quick Cards,” so they can hand them out to people who have a question or need,” said Burke of Peter and Teresa Fogg. “They personally look out for their neighbors, and there are dozens of individuals and businesses who could tell you their stories of when Peter and Teresa stepped in to help –way beyond any expectations – from running another business when the owner was ill, to helping elders stay at home and connected in their community as long as possible. Teresa and Peter embody community spirit, and we are so thankful to have them in the United Way family.”

The Campaign Excellence Award was won by Bath Savings Institution and Bath Savings Trust.  Bath Savings’ campaign, organized by Megan Smith-Pinkham and Dan Wilson, included rallies with food, the video, and United Way representatives at every branch.  The campaign, which was already an Excellence Award winner, increased giving by over $11,000, and achieved an incredible 99 percent participation from employees. “To say Bath Savings goes above and beyond is an understatement,” said Beaumont. “Their commitment to the community is evident in their outward giving and in their actions every day.”

Bath Iron Works’ Employee Campaign team won the Volunteer of the Year Award. Burke praised the team, led by Bob Murray and Adele Suggs of BIW and Steve Cornish and John Portela of BIW and Local S6, for an incredibly well-run campaign, which reached out to over 5,000 employees with 71 meetings in all different shifts, locations, and departments. “You were great representatives to the community of your fellow workers at BIW,” said Burke. “Your hard work – your team work – was noticed, and appreciated, and we thank you. United Way is proud to give the BIW Employee Campaign Team our Volunteer of the Year Award!”

Another highlight of the Campaign was the match for residential givers who increased their donations by $200 or more, offered by Sandy Morrell Rooney and Chuck Rooney. In thanking the couple for their generous offer of up to a $10,000 match, Burke reported that residential donors responded enthusiastically by increasing their gifts, “and Sandy and Chuck, I want to tell you, your check for the match is going to be for the full $10,000!”

“Everyone involved in this Campaign should feel very, very good about all we’ve accomplished – together,” said Burke. “We have mobilized the caring power of our Mid Coast community, and we will improve lives. Bob and I feel privileged to be part of this wonderful effort, and we thank all Midcoast Maine’s wonderful donors and volunteers.”

Loaned Executives who worked on the campaign for ten weeks include: John Portela of BIW and Local S6, Tiger Curran of L.L. Bean, Candy Downs of Bath, and Donna Church of Hannaford. Organizations that sponsored Loaned Executives are: Bath Iron Works, Local S6, Bath Savings Institution, FHC, Inc., Hannaford, L.L. Bean, and Norway Savings Bank. LL Bean, Hannaford, M.W. Sewall, Apple, and Amtrak donated incentives for workplace campaigns.

United Way’s mission is “to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.”  Approximately 20,000 Mid Coast residents were helped last year by United Way and its 37 local partner agencies.