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United Way News

Investing in Early Childhood Prevents Crime, Sheriff tells United Way Annual Meeting

5/30/2019

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​Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry told attendees of United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s annual meeting Thursday he believes “we have the potential to solve much of what is wrong in our society by focusing our efforts on early childhood.”
 
Sheriff Merry, a member of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, as well as of United Way’s Board, said he is a longtime advocate of high-quality early child care and universal pre-K. “Kids who succeed in school are much less likely to commit crime,” he said in his keynote address. He also spoke about a mental illness crisis, with 18% of Sagadahoc County students saying they had seriously considered suicide in the last year. “It’s critical we let young people know they matter, and are a cherished part of our community,” said Merry.
 
Merry said he followed the philosophy of the man credited with founding modern policing, Sir Robert (“Bobby”) Peel, who said the goal of law enforcement is not catching criminals, but preventing crime. He praised the work of United Way and many of its partner agencies for doing the good work of prevention in Mid Coast Maine.  

​​Joel Wegner of Five County Credit Union, outgoing Board Chair, thanked United Way’s partner agencies for their excellent work, and noted that through them and United Way’s leadership initiatives, more than 25,000 Mid Coast residents were helped to better lives in 2018. “In our Strategic Planning last year, we paid increased attention to the importance of human connections,” said Wegner, citing research that loneliness increases the risk not only of depression and anxiety, but also of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and dementia. “People need people,” said Wegner. “It sounds so basic. They need caring relationships….We realized that boosting community connections is very much at the heart of what United Way does, with our mission to mobilize ‘the caring power’ of communities.”

​United Way staff member Maria Hinteregger received the Bowdoin College Spirit of Service Award for a “community member who embraces a genuine commitment to improving the lives of others through service, their life speaking strongly, while they remain humbly quiet." In presenting the award, Sarah Seames cited Maria’s 20 years of organizing community impact work such as helping to create 211 Maine, coordinating the CA$H Coalition, launching United Way’s Diaper Project, and more. “Maria is an amazing role model for our students,” said Seames. “She exemplifies all of our biggest dreams about how we pursue the Common Good.”
Community Builder Awards business winner Bath Savings Institution and Bath Savings Trust.
Community Builder Award business winner Bath Savings Institution and Bath Savings Trust.
Community Builder Award business winner, Bath Savings Institution and Bath Savings Trust. l-r: Tom Whelan, Glenn Hutchinson and Sean Martin.
BIW team l-r Scott Zamer, Michael Winn, Thomas Durrell, Benjamin Skinner & Kristine Mattei
BIW l-r: Pat Thomas and Scott Zamer.
United Way Board of Directors l-r: Sean Martin, Joel Merry, Pam Gerbi, Barbara Reinertsen, Shelley Taylor, Claire Berkowitz, Scott Zamer, Pat Thomas, Bill Brillant, Sarah Brown, Glenn Hutchinson, and Joel Wegner. Not pictured: Christine Anderson, Steve Bailey, Mary Ellen Barnes, Rick Bohan, Bryan Campbell, Charles Dorn, Nancy Jennings, Tom Kivler.
Community Builder Award Coalition winners Ecumenical Council for Homeless Prevention of Damariscotta-Newcastle
Community Builder Awards Coalition winners, Cathy Hopkins & Sue Rockwood of the Ecumenical Diaper Bank.
Bill Brillant & Maria Hinteregger.
UW Board member and Keynote Speaker, Sheriff Joel Merry.
Outgoing UW Board l-r: Chair Joel Wegner and incoming Board Chair, Bill Brillant.
Sarah Seames of Bowdoin presented UW staffer Maria Hinteregger with the Bowdoin College Spirit of Service Award.
Community Builder Awards Individual winner, Martha Mayo of Bath. Pictured with her daughter, Mari Eosco.
Community Builder Awards Individual winner, Martha Mayo of Bath.
Community Builder Awards Individual winner, Martha Mayo of Bath with UW Executive Director, Barbara Reinertsen.
l-r: Mary Ellen Barnes Sabra Burdick & Cheryl Rust.
l-r: Tom Whelan Barbara Reinertsen & Glenn Hutchinson.
“People need people,” said Wegner. “It sounds so basic. They need caring relationships….We realized that boosting community connections is very much at the heart of what United Way does, with our mission to mobilize ‘the caring power’ of communities.”

Joel Wegner, UW Board Chair

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20th Annual Community Read Aloud!!

1/10/2019

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Join the 20th Annual Community Read Aloud!

It's hard to believe it has been 20 years since Success by 6 of United Way of Mid Coast Maine launched the first Annual Community Read Aloud. This year's event will be held Friday March 1st.

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United Way Campaign Reaches Goal!

11/8/2018

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Community Celebrates Successful Campaign!
United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s fall campaign succeeded in reaching its $1,750,000 goal, Chair Joel Merry announced at the Campaign Finale held at Bowdoin College. Volunteers on the Campaign “Cabinet” raised signs revealing the total number raised: $1,771,911.
 
Merry, Sagadahoc County Sheriff, said “thank you to all of you who worked so hard on this Campaign, and thank you to everyone in the community who gave!” Merry said he was so proud of his community, not only for their generosity in this campaign, but for all the ways in which people work together and help each other.
 
Merry urged anyone in Mid Coast Maine who has not yet given to do so, saying “we’re counting on end-of-year gifts to reach the number we announced.” Donations can be sent to United Way of Mid Coast Maine, 34 Wing Farm Parkway, Bath, Maine 04530. People can also give online at uwmcm.org/donate or call 207-443-9752 to give by credit card or ask to be billed.

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Issues facing Maine schoolchildren discussed at United Way annual meeting

5/17/2018

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PictureSteve Bailey, the executive director of the Maine School Management Association, speaks at the United Way of Mid Coast Maine's annual meeting on Tuesday. Contributed photo
The executive director of the Maine School Management Association discussed many issues facing Maine schoolchildren, including bullying and suicide, during the annual meeting of the United Way of Mid Coast Maine on Tuesday.

Steve Bailey, of West Bath, said school report cards are based on academic results and standardized test scores, but Bailey asked if there was other things schools should look at to gauge a student’s performance.

The former superintendent said a Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey showed that 4 out of 10 students feel like they don’t matter to their community, and he said half of the middle school students in Sagadahoc County reported being bullied on school property.


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Nominations for United Way’s Board of Directors

5/1/2018

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The following people will be nominated for election or re-election to United Way’s Board of Directors at the annual meeting: Christine Anderson of LincolnHealth, Mary Ellen Barnes of Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission, Heather Biggar of Maine Behavioral Healthcare, Chuck Dorn of Bowdoin College, and Nancy Jennings of Bath.
 
Joel Wegner of Five County Credit Union will be nominated for election to Chair of United Way’s Board of Directors, Bill Brillant of Downeast Energy will be nominated as First Vice Chair, Mary Ellen Barnes of Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission as Second Vice Chair, and Sean Martin, Vice President of Bath Savings Trust Company, as Treasurer.
 
 
You are Invited to United Way’s Annual Meeting!
 
United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s Annual Meeting will be held Tuesday, May 15, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am at The Daniel, 10 Water Street, Brunswick. All members of the community are invited to attend. Registration for the event is available online at uwmcm.org or by calling United Way at 443-9752.
 
Steve Bailey, Executive Director of the Maine School Management Association, will speak on the many issues young people face today in his keynote address: “Going to School… and we thought this was only about academics.”

Community Builder Awards will be presented to organizations and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Mid Coast Maine community. There will be a review of United Way accomplishments in 2017, and election of Board members and officers.

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Midcoast CA$H Provides Free IRS-Certified Tax Preparation

1/23/2018

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January 22, 2018

Midcoast CA$H is a member of CA$H Maine and is one of over 12,000 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs across the country that the IRS relies on to help people file their taxes every year, completely free of charge.

In 2017 alone, our IRS certified volunteers helped over 300 individuals in the Midcoast area qualify for and keep 100% of their refunds without worrying about hidden fees or unexpected charges.Many of our clients receive over thirty percent of their annual income in tax refunds, making their tax returns vital to their financial lives.

"For 10 years, Midcoast CA$H has helped individuals and families get their maximum refund that they use on necessities, like paying bills, paying down debt, making new purchases, and saving,” Maria Hinteregger, United Way of Mid Coast Maine and Midcoast CA$H lead coordinator. “We are dedicated to helping as many community members as we can.”

“I’ve always felt that I was in good, capable hands at Midcoast CA$H and trust the volunteers’ expertise to find our family the best tax breaks that we are eligible for.” Anna, Midcoast CA$H free tax preparation program user.Generally, individuals who make less than $54,000 are eligible to have their taxes prepared and e-filed for free.

To see if you qualify or schedule an appointment at tax sites in Bath, Brunswick, or Wiscasset, call (207) 699-0752. For more information on CA$H Maine, their expert tax preparation services, and to find a tax preparation site near you, visit cashmaine.org.

The volunteer tax preparers at CA$H Maine free tax preparation sites go through extensive training and are certified by the IRS. We make sure our customers get high-quality, professional service by trained volunteers who are equipped to identify tax refund opportunities for customers. Our goal is to help our customers get their maximum refund and claim all the credits that they have earned.
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Midcoast CA$H is a partnership of community leaders and industry experts working together to help empower individuals and families to achieve long-term financial stability. Members of the Midcoast CA$H Coalition include: Bath Housing Authority, Bath Savings Institution, Bowdoin College, Camden National Bank, CEI, Davenport Trust, First Federal Savings, Goodwill Industries of NNE, Internal Revenue Service, John T. Gorman Foundation, KeyBank, Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission, Mid Coast Charitable Foundation, New Ventures Maine, Norway Savings Bank, The Gathering Place, United Way of Mid Coast Maine.
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Media Contact:
Maria Hinteregger, United Way of Mid Coast Maine, (207) 443-9752, mariah@uwmcm.org
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United Way Campaign Kick-Off September 12: Bill Brillant of Downeast Energy is Campaign Chair

9/11/2017

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PictureBill Brillant UWMCM 2017 Campaign Chair
​United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s campaign  for the community will be launched Tuesday, September 12, at the Maine Maritime Museum. “Moving Forward Together” is the Campaign theme, following on last year’s theme celebrating United Way’s 60th anniversary.
 
“We know that the only way we can truly all move forward and meet community needs is if individual donors step forward and increase their giving, and new donors join us to change lives,” said Campaign Chair Bill Brillant. “We need everyone’s help.”
 
“United Way is moving forward by addressing emerging needs such as treatment for opioid addiction and at-home nursing care for elders, and by investing in babies and young children to create long-lasting change,” said Brillant. “United Way is also the best way to make sure our neighbors in need get the immediate, critical help they need to improve their financial stability, education, and health.”
 
Brillant is Customer Service Manager for Downeast Energy. He has served on United Way’s Campaign Cabinet, Board, and Basic Needs Solutions Council. Many years ago he served as a campaign Loaned Executive. Brillant is also Chair of Save Our Swinging Bridge in Topsham, member and past President of the Topsham Expresso Rotary, and has been active in many community organizations and initiatives.
 
This year’s Campaign Cabinet also includes: Steve Cornish, Karen Race, and Bob Murray of Bath Iron Works, Bryan Campbell of Mechanics Savings Bank, Brian Wilson, Steve Bailey of the Maine School Management Association, Dave Millar of Riley Insurance Agency, Tyler Zamore of Bath Savings Institution, Richard Price of First Advisors, Kelly Holbrook of LincolnHealth, Kim Watson of Mid Coast Senior Health Center, Chris Szalay of SEARCH – Greater Bath, Mark Waltz of the Brunswick Police Department, Stacy Frizzle of People Plus, and Bob Beaumont of CHANS Hospice.
 
Anyone who has not typically been reached by United Way is encouraged to be part of the community-wide campaign by calling the office at 443-9752. The generosity of the Mid Coast community made it possible last year for approximately 20,000 people to receive needed help through United Way’s 38 partner agencies. United Way volunteers also work on initiatives to address root causes of problems and advance long-lasting solutions for Mid Coast Maine.
 
The Campaign Kick-off is sponsored by Mid Coast Hospital and will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath.  There will be refreshments, announcement of the goal, and informal remarks by community volunteers. All interested members of the public are invited to attend the Kick-off. To rsvp call United Way at 443-9752 or e-mail info@uwmcm.org.
 
United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. For more information on results of giving, check the website: www.uwmcm.org. 

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United Way Turns 60 with a Celebration to Honor Supporters

10/7/2016

 

With the fall campaign in full swing, United Way of Mid Coast Maine will pause for some fun on October 22 with a 1956 –themed celebration at Bath Middle School Gym.
 
“We’re hoping that people who have volunteered with or donated to United Way – in the past or today – will come join us!,” said United Way Executive Director Barbara Reinertsen. “We hope to catch up with a lot of wonderful people who have helped make this community strong for so many years.”
 
Guests will be treated to light refreshments, 1950s era music from the Carmine Terracciano Band, an opportunity to connect with fellow United Way supporters, and plenty of memories – all for the 1956 admission price of $1. Event sponsors include long-time supporters Mid Coast Hospital and Bath Savings Institution.
 
All United Way supporters are encouraged to attend the celebration, and can rsvp to Kathy Higgins by calling 207-443-9752, Ext. 13 or via email at kathyh@uwmcm.org. 
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United Way Launches Campaign:  $60,000 Match Offered for 60th Anniversary!

9/13/2016

 
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, which was held at the Maine Maritime Museum and sponsored by Mid Coast Hospital, were greeted with Elvis Presley songs from 1956.
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“We are so grateful for the early supporters, Board members, and Campaign fundraisers,” said United Way Board Chair Connie Jones of 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 Mid Coast Maine. We are a caring community, and this character has been shaped by those who came before us.”
 
Jones 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. 
 
“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, Maine 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 Mid Coast 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, who grew up and still lives in Brunswick, 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% 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. 
 
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% of the Goal.
 
He noted that United Way Board, Cabinet, and staff members have 100% participation in the Campaign. Members of the 2016 Campaign Cabinet, in addition to Bohan, include: Steve Cornish, Local S6/BIW; Bob Murray, BIW; Adele Suggs, BIW; Bill Brillant, Downeast Energy; Brian Wilson, FHC, Inc.; Steve Bailey, AOS 93 Schools; Dave Millar, Riley Insurance Agency; Tyler Zamore, Bath Savings Institution; Stacy Miller, LincolnHealth; Kim Watson, Mid Coast Senior Health Center; Lennie Burke, Norway Savings Bank; Bob Beaumont, CHANS Hospice; Mark Waltz, Brunswick Police Department; and Stacy Frizzle, People Plus. 
 
Loaned Executives working on the campaign for ten weeks include: John Descoteaux of Brunswick, Diane Herrick of Lisbon Falls, K.L. Long of L.L. Bean, John Portela of BIW and Local S6, and Deni Tirrell of South Portland.
 
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.” 

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L-R: 2016 Campaign Chair Rick Bohan, Diane Herrick, John Portela, John Descoteaux, KL Long. Not pictured: Deni Tirrell

Author: Barbara Reinertsen

Contact: Barbara Reinertsen 207-443-9752 or barbarar@uwmcm.org

Dollars for Diapers in Downtown Bath

8/11/2016

 
PictureChris Chase — Coastal Journal The Mustard Seed Bookstore was one of the top five Bath businesses that collected Dollars for Daipers.
BATH — United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s Dollars for Diapers fundraising campaign has come to a close after raising $4,594.

Bath Savings Institution donated $1,000, an anonymous donor made a $500 contribution, and the Bath Rotary gave $1,000 to the cause. In total, the money raised should be able to keep local young families outfitted with diapers for nearly a year.

“We’re well on our way to providing diapers for the Bath Food Pantry for almost a year,” said Nancy Jennings, who was integral to organizing the campaign. “We really got a great head start with all of this.”

In addition to the money raised, posters and displays pinned all over downtown helped raise awareness of an issue that many people don’t think about. “It wasn’t money in canisters that put us over the top; it was the awareness of people who said, ‘how can I help?’” said Jennings.

The top five businesses that received the most canister donations are One Stop Deli, Witch Spring Hill Ice Cream, Now You’re Cooking, Five County Credit Union, and Mustard Seed Bookstore.

Wendy Morris, owner of One Stop Deli, said she had no idea that her business raised the most. She attributed it to the reputation of United Way.

“I think United Way does a great job. We’re always happy to support any good cause,” said Morris. “I think anything that goes through United Way, people are going to support.”

Bath Food Pantry Executive Director Kimberly Gates said that the support is sorely needed. “Their diapers have been a lifesaver,” she said. “Our biggest growing number right now is young families with young children.”

Prior to the United Way’s efforts, Gates said she wasn’t able to carry diapers.“They’ve shopped around, they’ve done their homework. They got a great deal on diapers that I never could get.”

Gates said the generosity of people in town doesn’t surprise her, as the donations and outpouring of support she recieves on a regular basis always exceeds her expectations.

“This community is just itching to make a difference, and when they find something they can sink their teeth into, they do,” she said.

http://digital.olivesoftware.com/olive/ODN/CoastalJournal/default.aspx
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United Way of Mid Coast Maine serves people in Sagadahoc and Lincoln Counties, Brunswick and Harpswell.
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