CARIBOU, Maine — 2020 was the first year of a new decade and will be remembered as the year the COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed everything for everyone. But those memories can also reflect he generosity and caring of friends and neighbors, the strength and resilience of community, and the support for, and from, local businesses.
Katahdin Trust Co. has been the major sponsor for the past seven years for the Jefferson Cary Foundation’s Cary Classic Benefit Golf Tournament. Last year, in what would have been the 37th annual Cary Classic, the local financial institution once again supported the foundation’s major fundraising effort with their $5,000 sponsorship.
But, like most events, the Cary Classic was canceled due to the pandemic. The bank continued their foundation support by gifting their sponsorship to the foundation’s Endowment Fund, and placing a new stone on the Tree of Life located in Cary Medical Center’s lobby.
The Tree of Life provides a permanent record of the philanthropy of individuals and groups who have contributed to the Foundation. Donations or a series of donations exceeding $1,000 are commemorated with engraved leaves on the tree, and donations of $5,000 and $10,000 or more are commemorated with stones under the tree.
“The Jefferson Cary Foundation plays a vital role in our community in providing access to quality medical services right in our own neighborhood,” shared Craig Staples, vice president, commercial services officer at Katahdin Trust. “We’ve been a lead sponsor for the Cary Classic Golf Tournament since 2014 because we believe so much in what the Jefferson Cary Foundation stands for, and we didn’t feel they should be negatively impacted due to the ongoing pandemic.”
“Even through a pandemic our mission of supporting hospital projects and growing our Endowment Fund hasn’t wavered,” explained Pam Scheppele, chairperson of the Jefferson Cary Foundation Board of Directors. “This generous gift is so very much appreciated and we can’t thank Katahdin Trust, and all of our past tournament sponsors enough for their support.”
“We have seen so many acts of generosity and kindness throughout our communities during the past year,” added Tamra Kilcollins, JCF executive director. “This gift will help keep our hospital strong in the face of these unprecedented times. Thank you many times over to Katahdin Trust in supporting the foundation and our hospital. We truly are all in this together.”
The Jefferson Cary Foundation was founded in 1993 and is the nonprofit 501(c) philanthropic fundraising arm of Cary Medical Center. The Foundation’s Endowment Fund is a permanent fund, with the principal remaining intact. Interest only income is used to support the expansion of hospital services and projects, and to purchase new technology at the Caribou hospital.
For more information about the Jefferson Cary Foundation please visit their website page at https://www.carymedicalcenter.org/about-cary/jefferson-cary-foundation/giving/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jeffersoncaryfoundation.
