By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The Aroostook County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation marked its 25th anniversary by honoring past grant recipients.
Photo courtesy of Pam Scheppele
Aroostook County Committee advisors, Maine Community Foundation dignitaries and participants of the 25th anniversary dinner held at NMCC Sept. 28 included, from left, front row: George Dumond, advisor; Pam Scheppele, Foundation officer; Fran Gendreau, advisor; Kari Wells-Puckett, advisor; Meredith Jones, president and Maine Community Foundation CEO; Lori Weston, advisor; John Pelletier, advisor; and Brian Hamel, MCF board member. Back row: Steve Towle, Nordic Heritage Sport Club; Tim Crowley, advisor; Jon McLaughlin, chair; Pete Huntress, advisor; Linda Alverson, advisor; and Gregg Collins, vice chair.
“Around 60 guests gathered for the occasion, held Sept. 28 in the Edmunds Conference Center at Northern Maine Community Foundation. Over the past quarter century, the Aroostook County Committee, made up of volunteers from all over the County, has awarded more than $450,000 to support nonprofits that are making a difference in our communities,” said Pam Scheppele, Foundation officer.
Each year, the organization awards thousands to organizations devoted to helping others.
“As of 2011, the Aroostook County Fund and related funds are valued at more than $1 million and currently makes grants totaling approximately $40,000 per year,” she said.
To mark the organization’s 25th anniversary, 10 nonprofits were recognized.
Photo courtesy of Pam Scheppele
Two local nonprofits , Friends of Aroostook and Wintergreen Arts Center, were the recipients of $1,250 awards during the 25th anniversary celebration of the Aroostook County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation. Pictured from left are: Don Flewelling, executive director of Friends of Aroostook; Jon McLaughlin, chair, Aroostook County Committee; and Wendy Zubrick, executive director, Wintergreen Arts Center.
“In honor of the occasion the Aroostook County Committee honored 10 nonprofits that have benefitted from grants over the past 25 years, including: 10th Mountain Ski Club, Aroostook Agency on Aging, Aroostook Mental Health Services, Association Culturelle et Historique du Mont-Carmel, Catholic Charities of Maine, Friends of Aroostook, Nordic Heritage Sport Club, Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project, University of Maine at Presque Isle and Wintergreen Arts Center,” Scheppele said.
The committee also chose two special nonprofits to receive a $1,250 grant each, in recognition of the work they are doing: Friends of Aroostook and Wintergreen Arts Center.
A statewide organization with offices in Ellsworth and Portland, the Maine Community Foundation partners with donors and nonprofits to strengthen Maine communities. For more information, visit www.mainecf.org or call 877-700-6800.
