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Over one hundred and fifty community volunteers and business people gathered Tuesday evening at the Holiday Inn in Waterville to
celebrate United Way of Mid-Maine’s Campaign Finale. According to Tina Chapman, President and CPO of United Way of Mid-Maine,
the agency set a very aggressive goal this year - $758,670, which is almost $30,000 more than last year. At their Finale,
United Way of Mid-Maine announced that it expects to reach at least 97% of that goal. That, during a time of economic uncertainty,
is incredibly heartening for this community.
“We are extremely pleased with the response we’ve had this year.” Chapman stated. “Although some of our campaigns decreased a bit,
which we expected, we’ve had new businesses and new givers this year which has been very encouraging”.
Campaign Chair, John Dalton, CEO of Inland Hospital, was pleased as well. “We’ve had several campaigns in each division that did very
well – they have either increased their campaign, had an increase in participation, or have had very creative ideas for their company’s campaign.”
Campaign Cabinet members – volunteers who have been leading the campaign efforts, celebrated outstanding company campaigns Tuesday evening.
Those who received awards were Catholic Charities of Maine, Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers, Youth & Family Services, Unity College,
the Town of Winslow, SAD 48, Merrill Bank in Waterville, Kennebec Savings Bank, Winslow Community Federal Credit Union, Redington-Fairview
General Hospital, Lakewood Continuing Care Center, Inland Hospital, Central Maine Power – Fairfield and Skowhegan, Plum Creek, Madison Paper,
Johnny’s Selected Seeds, and Huhtamaki.
The George E. Keller Award: An annual award given to a company that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in an in-house campaign was presented
to L.L. Bean. In addition to an employee campaign, a corporate gift, fundraisers, and an incentive donation, LL Bean provided United Way of Mid-Maine
with Loaned Executive - Sue Southard for 12 weeks.
The Diamond Club Award: An annual award given to the one company that has demonstrated extraordinary commitment and contribution to United Way,
was presented to Sappi Fine Paper and their employees, who together raised just over $100,000. This set a “Triple Crown Record” for them this year,
for having the most mill pledges, the largest number of mill employee donations and largest total mill donation.
Members of the 2008/2009 United Way of Mid-Maine Campaign Cabinet were honored as well. They are, John Dalton- Chair, Dan & Joanne Booth,
Ann Brooks, Steve Chapman, George Coleman, Rhonda Emerson, Ray Haskell, Bob Marden, Tom McAdam, Mike Michaud, Karen Van Orman, Gary Poulin,
Debra Silva, Bart & Pat Stevens, Peter Thiboutot, Barbara Woodlee, and Lucille Zelenkewich.
The evening was topped off with musical entertainment provided by the Messalonskee Mastersingers of Messalonskee High School under the
direction of Pam and Kevin Rhein.
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