United Way of Mid Coast Maine, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, kicked off its fall campaign with a theme of “60 Years and Counting!” Attendees at the Kick-off were greeted with Elvis Presley songs from 1956.

“We are so grateful for the early supporters, board members, and campaign fundraisers,” said United Way Board Chair Connie Jones of Miles & St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice, LincolnHealth. “They built the firm foundation for United Way that has made it possible for us to continue to meet changing needs and support the people of Midcoast Maine. We are a caring community, and this character has been shaped by those who came before us.”

Jones, of Boothbay, went on to say that while United Way honors its past, “we are very much looking forward. There’s no time to rest; we are heading into the next 60 years and we need to do all we can to make sure people’s lives are good, and they get help when they need it.” Jones noted that the anniversary is coinciding with a demographic shift, in which many of United Way’s long-time, very generous donors have recently retired or are retiring.

Other Lincoln County volunteers working on the Campaign include Steve Bailey, superintendent of AOS 93 Schools, who is chairing the Education Division, Stacy Miller of LincolnHealth, who is co-chairing the Health Care Division, and K.L. Long of Bremen, a loaned executive from L.L. Bean.

“We know we need to bring in new, younger donors and more leadership donors,” said Campaign Chair Rick Bohan of L.L. Bean. “We are very excited to announce that a number of generous donors have agreed to offer a special match for all new and increased giving. It’s a match of $60,000 for our 60th anniversary!”

New donations, and increases from current donors, will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $60,000 campaign-wide. “This is a great opportunity for a donor to double their impact,” said Bohan.

Any individual not reached by a workplace campaign can send a donation to United Way of Mid Coast Maine, 34 Wing Farm Parkway, Bath, ME 04530. People can also call 207-443-9752 to give monthly via credit card or bank debit, ask to be billed, make a credit card donation, 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 can be found at www.uwmcm.org.

Every workplace in Mid Coast Maine, of any size, is urged to include a United Way presentation in a meeting so employees can hear about local services and make a personal decision whether to contribute through payroll deduction. Brief meetings that fit a workplace’s schedule can easily be arranged by calling United Way at 443-9752.

Additional incentives for workplace meeting attendance, new and increased gifts, and leadership gifts were donated this year by Sebasco Harbor Resort, L.L. Bean, M.W. Sewall, Hannaford, and Amtrak.

Bohan said there have been some excellent early Campaign results, with MSAD 75 employees raising over $14,000 so far, and RSU1 school employees raising $12,655 – a 30 percent increase over last year. Other highlights include increased corporate gifts from L.L. Bean, FHC, and Riley Insurance, and early employee campaigns at UPS, Target, Walmart, Brunswick Schools, Maine Region 10 Technical High School, AOS 93 Schools in the Damariscotta area, and Lincoln Academy. Bohan also noted that United Way Board, Cabinet, and staff members have 100 participation in the Campaign.

Employees of Bath Iron Works who are Sustained Givers – donating 1% or more of their salary to United Way – were given special thanks at United Way’s Kick-off. Together they have raised over $133,000 already for United Way.

Bohan announced that as of the Kick-off, the campaign has raised $370,105, or 20 percent of the Goal.

Loaned Executives working on the campaign for ten weeks include: John Descoteaux, Diane Herrick, K.L. Long of L.L. Bean, John Portela of BIW and Local S6, and Deni Tirrell.

Organizations that have sponsored Loaned Executives are: Bath Iron Works, Local S6, Bath Savings Institution, FHC, Inc., L.L. Bean, and Norway Savings Bank.

Kick-off attendees brought diapers or dollars for diapers, continuing a tradition started at the 2014 Kick-off. Many parents struggle to pay the roughly $1,000 per year cost of enough diapers to keep their babies clean, dry, and healthy. Jones announced that since the Diaper Project began two years ago, United Way has raised the equivalent of 115,435 diapers for Mid Coast children.

“The Diaper Project is one great example of what we can do together. This convening people in initiatives to create change is one of the key ways United Way works to fulfill its mission: to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities,” said Jones.

Jones said the second key way United Way advances its mission is through its partnership with 37 wonderful local agencies, whose staff and volunteers “work every day to: help people have a home, teach them to read, provide good health care, support survivors of domestic violence, make sure young people at risk have good mentors and positive activities, call on isolated elders or get them out and interacting, give young children the “Best Start” in life, and much more.”

Lincoln County residents are served by United Way partner agencies including Central Lincoln County YMCA, Coastal Kids Preschool, Healthy Kids, Midcoast Maine Community Action, Teen & Young Parent Program, Tri-County Literacy, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine, Mobius, Inc., Spectrum Generations, Eldercare Network of Lincoln County, Lincoln Academy Health Center, and New Hope for Women, among other agencies.