Helping Hands receives $10,000 grant

By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
    PRESQUE ISLE — A major company has awarded a local organization that assists children and families with a grant worth thousands of dollars.
    “Helping Hands for Children & Families was recently notified that they are the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation’s Associate Choice Program,” said Helping Hands’ Executive Director Andy Michalka.
    Only a handful of Maine agencies were chosen to receive funding.
    “Helping Hands was one of three agencies in Maine selected to participate in the program. Walmart and Sam’s Club associates voted on the causes that they identified as important to the company and their community. The other two agencies selected for funding were the Good Shepherd Food Bank and the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital,” said Michalka. Both of those organizations are located in southern Maine.
    He said this isn’t the first time Helping Hands has benefited from the program.
    “Helping Hands is honored to have been selected to participate in this statewide program for the second consecutive year. One hundred percent of the funding will be used to provide direct assistance to families in need this winter who reside in Aroostook County,” Michalka said.
    Helping Hands depends on the United Way of Aroostook, grants and donations from churches, local groups and individuals to provide emergency assistance to families in need.
    Helping Hands for Children & Families is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist Aroostook County citizens in their efforts to master the challenges of life by offering a link to valuable resources, information, educational opportunities and a network of caring people.
    For more information about services, visit staff at their office, located at 771 Main St., Presque Isle, or call 768-3115 or 800-432-7881.