By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Officials with the United Way of Aroostook kicked off another fund-raising year, with members and business leaders coming together for breakfast at The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle on Oct. 3 to mark the occasion.
“TAMC has had a longstanding relationship with United Way of Aroostook. It’s our duty and role to give back. I’m pleased to kick off the workplace campaign and be a part of making this a great place and community to live in,” said TAMC President Sylvia Getman, as she welcomed everyone to the event.
Campaign chairs Wanda Guiggey and Tim Doak were introduced by UWA President Cheri Doak. Stepping to the podium, they took turns explaining UWA’s purpose and goal for the coming year.
“Things are not always so sunny and bright for folks in the County. It’s a challenge to meet needs,” said Tim Doak.
Tim Doak said in addition to the workplace campaign, other fund-raising efforts help raise much-needed money to provide for those less fortunate in Aroostook. Corporate gifts, grants and other avenues including golf tournaments and the Northern Star talent shows raise the dollars necessary to provide services and assistance to those unable to do so for themselves.
Guiggey said the agency’s focus is on three areas of need.
“Our agencies work to strengthen children and families, provide support to senior citizens and promote self-sufficiency and help meet basic needs,” said Guiggey.
UWA agencies that assist children and families include: ACAP WIC; ACAP Health 1st, HIV outreach and testing; Aroostook Council for Healthy Families, Maine Families Aroostook and Raising Stronger Families; Adopt A Block; Hope & Justice Project; Central Aroostook ARC; Girl Scouts of Maine; Marissa E. Lloyd Sunshine Fund; and St. John Valley Associates.
Agencies supporting seniors include: Retired Senior Volunteer Program; Meals on Wheels; Catholic Charities, Independent Support Services; and TAMC, Healthy Aging At Home.
United Way agencies that promote self-sufficiency and help meet basic needs include: American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, Supply and Food Bank; Friends of Aroostook; Grace Interfaith Table; Helping Neighbors; Homeless Services of Aroostook; and Salvation Army.
“We have a pretty broad spectrum of clients served and have awarded $3.6 million in funds over the past 12 years,” said Tim Doak. “Our goal this year is $480,000, up from last year’s $470,000.”
With $29,000 raised to date, Tim Doak said there’s still a long ways to go.
“We really need your help,” he told those in attendance.
Tim Doak and Guiggey took turns reading the list of United Way programs that are funded each year. The list included: 2-1-1 Maine, Fuel Assistance; Emergency Food and Shelter Program; Santa’s Sleigh Project; Dress A Child; and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
“Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, books are given to children from newborn through age 5,” explained Tim Doak. “Fuel assistance funding is often a last resort for those who can’t afford to heat their homes.”
Guiggey said over 19,000 were served in the immediate area in the past year. Tim Doak said county-wide it’s closer to 30,000 served.
“That’s a significant portion of the population,” said Tim Doak.
Communities served by UWA in central Aroostook include: Ashland, Blaine, Caribou, Caswell, Chapman, Crouseville, Castle Hill, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Garfield, Limestone, Mapleton, Masardis, New Sweden, Perham, Portage Lake, Presque Isle, Stockholm, Washburn, Westfield, Wade and Woodland.
Rather than spend money on things like pins on behalf of each donation, Tim Doak said the UWA will be providing anti-bullying pencils to area school children.
“They’ve been extremely well received already,” said Tim Doak. “This is a more significant use of dollars.”
On hand to discuss a pilot program that provided stability balls for Ashland students were Reegan Brown, community education specialist for ACAP’s Healthy Aroostook’s Let’s Go program and Ashland health educator Karen LeBlanc. The pair agreed that the balls were “a great asset in the classroom.” LeBlanc said they were “softer and quieter” and that students even noticed an improvement in their penmanship, thanks to their improved posture when using the balls.
Claudia Stevens, UWA director, said she was “excited and encouraged” by the success to date of the workplace campaign.
“We have resource guides available with ideas for things to do — ways to bring a workplace together (to raise funds for UWA). Never be fooled into thinking you don’t have enough. Whatever fits for that person, fits for us and gets us that much closer to our $480,000 goal,” said Stevens.
Stevens said several prizes have been lined up as fund-raising incentives again this year.
“We’ll have drawings for a getaway at the Hampton Inn in Presque Isle and a gift certificate for Governor’s,” she said. The list of prizes also included a tool kit, a grill, Gentile Hall membership, Subway certificates, movie passes and more.
“A lot of workplaces put together their own incentives, including days off or designated parking spots,” said Stevens.
Stevens also discussed the FamilyWize discount card UWA has available. The card offers discounts on medications for uninsured or underinsured individuals.
She said UWA personnel are available to speak with anyone interested in learning more about the campaign or the agency.
“We’d love the opportunity to come into your workplace. When people can really hear what happening, they’re more inclined to give,” said Stevens.
Since 1957 Stevens said UWA has built a safety net for those less fortunate in society.
“‘Live united’ is our mission and goal. We have the power to change — to give, unite and change,” said Stevens.
A PowerPoint slide show was presented in closing, as Sherry Sullivan and Elaine Moody sang “United We Stand.”
For more information on UWA or to make a donation, call 764-5197 or e-mail acunited@mfx.net. Donations can also be mailed to: United Way of Aroostook, 480 Main St., Third Floor, Presque Isle, ME 04769.
