ACAP staff gives back to community
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Staff of the Aroostook County Action Program gave back to the community prior to the holidays with an in-house campaign that started Nov. 6 to collect 100 boxes of cereal for local food pantries and the homeless shelter.
“The target date for collections was the employee Holiday Potluck luncheon which was held Dec. 20. On Dec. 19, the 100th box of cereal was donated,” said Kim Smith, ACAP’s resource developer.
Since that time, Smith said ACAP has delivered 30 boxes of much-needed cereal to Homeless Services of Aroostook and 70 boxes to local food pantries.
“In addition, two large boxes of supplies were collected for the animal shelter, including dog and cat food, treats, toys, cleaning supplies and towels,” Smith said.
“The Holiday Potluck Committee also decided to host a silent auction as part of the festivities, with funds raised going to assist a former ACAP employee who worked for ACAP’s Child & Family Services for nine years and was laid off over the summer,” she said.
Smith said since this fall, the woman has been under medical treatment and is struggling to pay her very expensive COBRA insurance premiums.
“It was hoped that enough funds to cover one month of the premium amount could be raised. The response from staff was overwhelming and heartfelt, with 114 auction items being donated,” said Smith. “The final total raised between auction sales and donations was $1,526 — enough to cover two months’ of insurance premiums.”
Local non-profit updates name, logo
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Though its goal of providing quality services to children and adults with developmental disabilities remains the same, one local non-profit now has a new name.
Formerly Central Aroostook ARC, the organization is now known as Central Aroostook Association.
When the non-profit was created in 1959 it was known as Association for Retarded Children. However, according to Executive Director Stephen Richard, it has been years since the association spelled out what “ARC” stood for, as the “r” word has not been used for quite some time.
“Not only was there a need to move away from terminology that has long been outdated,” said Richard, “but administration also wanted to take the opportunity to introduce a new, cleaner logo and tagline combination that is more descriptive of what the association does.”
The previous logo included two taglines: “Eight Programs, One Association” and “Growing stronger for over 50 years.” Now the logo has only one tagline that is more straightforward: “Making a difference for people with developmental disabilities.”
Although the agency has kept the same central image from its previous logo, it has been cleaned up and slightly restructured.
“Administration feels the new logo makes a stronger statement and is more appealing to the eye, and with the new tagline, is more pointed as far as communicating what the association does to the general public,” said Richard.
Along with a new name and logo, the association has taken the opportunity to update its social media presence, as well. At the end of December, officials introduced its new website (www.centralaroostookassociation.com) and have been continually updating its Facebook page while looking into other social media options.
“Moving into the future, Central Aroostook Association looks forward to the new logo’s sustainability as well as that of the organization,” Richard said. “Thanks to the dedication and persistence of the staff and administration, the goals and purpose of the association has not wavered in the 50-plus years it has been in existence.”
For more information on Central Aroostook Association, call 764-0134.
