By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The United Way of Aroostook held its annual meeting and luncheon on June 1 at the Northeastland Hotel, recognizing a number of individuals and organizations for their continued support.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
A round of applause was given to Phyllis and Leonard Hutchins for their continued support of the United Way of Aroostook. The Hutchins were presented with a plaque honoring them as Volunteer of the Year in recognition of their continued support of the organization. The couple have donated many hand-made toys to the agency each year, for distribution to local youth at Christmas — from doll cribs and blankets to doll high chairs, toy trucks and blocks. Pictured from left are: UWA President Don Zillman; Phyllis Hutchins; UWA Campaign Chair Ginny Joles; and Leonard Hutchins.
Festivities began with a welcome by UWA Executive Director Claudia Stevens, the invocation presented by Carolyn Dorsey-Durepo, followed by lunch and a brief business meeting.
UWA President Don Zillman was the first speaker, sharing a few highlights of his recent trip to the Netherlands.
“The United Way of Aroostook may not be as old (as some of the places in the Netherlands) but its history is just as rich,” said Zillman, noting the many stories behind each person and organization represented at the luncheon. “I’m proud to be a part of this.”
Zillman said special events are “becoming part of the United Way fabric,” from the Northern Star competition which is in its seventh year to the first annual Denim & Diamonds Gala held earlier this year in Presque Isle.
UWA Campaign Chair Ginny Joles spoke next, giving an update on this year’s fund-raising effort.
“We set the goal high — 4 percent up from last year — of $520,000. We hope we’ll be able to reach our goal,” Joles said.
Joles said she’s been blessed in her life with her “career, health, family and friends.”
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
The Top Workplace Campaign nod at the United Way of Aroostook’s annual luncheon went to Twin Rivers Paper Company. Pictured for the award presentation are: Don Zillman, UWA president; Ed Welch, Twin Rivers Paper Co.; and Ginny Joles, UWA campaign chair.
“They’ve just been given to me,” said Joles, noting the United Way’s goal is to help others experience similar circumstances. “Through no fault of their own, the less fortunate among us” need our help, she added.
Joles said she lives by the motto of believing in blessings that can and are paid forward.
“Pass it on,” said Joles, adding she likes the title of a song, “Let me be a blessing to someone you send my way.”
“Don’t live by the status quo. Aim high, even if the balloons don’t float the way you want them to,” she said.
Joles said this year’s goal is doable but that there was still a ways to go. As of the meeting, UWA had raised $502,881 of its $520,000 goal. Totals for a recent golf tournament haven’t been released.
Joles noted that “this year has been a challenge but we set a real stretch of a goal.”
“We have made a mark and are making a difference. We are above last year. We pushed others to help others,” said Stevens. “It’s been my pleasure to help with this effort — remembering the cause, the goal and the attitude of making home a better place, not alone, but together as we strive to live united,” said Joles.
Stevens took the podium next, to present this year’s awards. First were the Top 10 Workplace Campaign awards, listed here from first to tenth: Twin Rivers Paper Company, The Aroostook Medical Center, Katahdin Trust Company, MMG Insurance, Smith & Wesson, Maine Public Service Company, Aroostook County Action Program, KeyBank, Northern Maine Medical Center and United Parcel Service.
The Campaign Excellence Award was the next presentation.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
Catholic Charities, serving food pantries throughout Aroostook County, with thrift shops in Caribou and Presque Isle, was one of several agencies receiving funding through the United Way of Aroostook during the annual luncheon held in Presque Isle recently. Pictured from left are: UWA President Don Zillman; Dixie Shaw, director, Catholic Charities; and UWA Campaign Chair Ginny Joles.
“This award goes to a business and good corporate citizen that has supported United Way of Aroostook for many years. Paradis Shop N Save has four stores in Aroostook that have been loyal contributors to our workplace campaign for many years. The four stores combined raised nearly $7,500 through their workplace campaign. The business is also a sponsor of our Northern Star competition and is the host of the June 11 Paradis Shop N Save United Way Benefit Scramble,” said Stevens.
Next, campaign volunteers were recognized for their efforts, including Joles who, according to Stevens, “worked tirelessly to help us achieve 96.7 percent of our fund-raising goal.”
The Volunteer of the Year Award went this year to a local couple.
“Every year many people help to ensure that the UWA has a successful fund-raising campaign and that the needs of all events are met. And every year there is an individual that stands out as an exceptional volunteer that really gave their all. This year, we have two people who give all year long. Phyllis and Leonard Hutchins approached the United Way four or five years ago and asked if we would be interested in homemade toys for our United Way Toy Project,” said Stevens, listing the many doll cribs, trucks, blankets and other toys the couple have made and donated over the years to ensure needy children in The County have a gift to open at Christmas. “They’ve made and donated hundreds of toys.”
The Hutchins were presented with a plaque recognizing their continued support of the UWA, as the audience offered a round of applause.
Stevens concluded the meeting with the presentation of this year’s allocations and grant awards.
“Our total allocations award to our United Way agencies is $260,000. In addition, in the very near future we will be distributing donor designated funds in the amount of $16,815 that will go to non-United Way agencies. Over $77,226 has already been distributed to the 2-1-1 program, fuel assistance, Dress a Child program, Dolly’s Imagination Library and Santa’s Sleigh Project and other donor-directed gifts. The combined total distribution of funds is $354,041,” said Stevens.
“The UWA is working to advance the common good by focusing on emergency food and shelter, disabled and handicapped children and adults, family support services, elderly and homebound, and our community impact programs, which are all building blocks for a good life,” Stevens said.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
Andy Michalka, director of Helping Hands for Children & Families, located in Fort Fairfield, was one of several representatives accepting allocations for their respective non-profit agency during the annual United Way of Aroostook luncheon. Pictured from left are: UWA President Don Zillman, Michalka and UWA Campaign Chair Ginny Joles.
The following agencies and the allocation received is as follows, for a total of $260,000 distributed:
• $94,000 for emergency food and shelter — American Red Cross, $6,000; Hope & Justice Project, $25,000; Catholic Charities Maine, Home Supplies and Food Bank, $15,000; Grace Interfaith Food Table, $5,000; Salvation Army, Houlton Unit, $19,000; and Homeless Services of Aroostook, $24,000;
• $22,000 for disabled and handicapped children and adults — Central Aroostook ARC, $10,000; and St. John Valley Associates, $22,000;
• $93,000 for family support services — ACAP Child & Family Services, $18,000; ACAP WIC Program, $15,500; Aroostook Council for Healthy Families, $19,000; Central Aroostook Mentoring Program, $14,000; Empowering Life Ministries, $5,000; Helping Neighbors, $17,500; and Ryan’s Heart, $4,000;
• $21,000 for elderly and homebound — AAAA Meals on Wheels, $10,000; Catholic Charities Independent Living, $5,000; and Retired Senior Volunteer Program, $6,000; and
• $30,000 for community impact — ACAP HIV Outreach Testing, $3,000; Adopt-A-Block of Aroostook, $20,000; and Aroostook Council for Healthy Families, Raising Stronger Families, $7,000.
“Our goal is to create long-lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place. Together, united, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. Our agencies are the true heroes on the front lines. They are the ones opening doors in our communities. Thank you so much for all that you do to make life easier for those who live in Aroostook County,” said Stevens.
