County organizations benefit from
TAMC’s Casual for a Cause program
PRESQUE ISLE — Patients and visitors to TAMC facilities may, on occasion, notice some employees dressed casually and proudly sporting yellow buttons. These employees are participating in Casual for a Cause, a program that allows workers to dress casually on select days and collectively contribute to worthwhile causes.
Photos courtesy of TAMC
JIM McKENNEY, left, TAMC vice president of support services, presents a check on behalf of TAMC employees participating in the Casual for a Cause program to the Presque Isle Historical Society. Funds will be used toward the purchase of new roofing shingles for the Maysville Grange Restoration project. Accepting on behalf of the society are, from left: Rick Nadeau, project foreman and society board member; Kim Smith, treasurer/secretary; and board members Billie Brodsky, Janet Snow and Bill Guerrette.
THE AROOSTOOK ASPIRATIONS INITIATIVE was the cause that benefited from July’s Casual for a Cause donations. Here, Jim McKenney, left, TAMC vice president of support services, presents a check to Sandy and Ray Gauvin of AAI.
TAMC PRESIDENT AND CEO Sylvia Getman, left, presents a check, representing the contributions of TAMC employees participating in the Casual for a Cause program, to Judy Bouchard and Barbara Deschaine of the Heather and Liam Connection.
FOLLOWING CASUAL FOR A CAUSE at TAMC July 25, Wendy Page, community educator for AMHC Sexual Assault Services, was presented a check by Joseph Siddiqui, vice president of human resources, EMHS Northwest Region, on behalf of TAMC employees participating in the fundraiser.
More than a dozen causes are helped financially during the year as a result of this effort. The program assists both internal TAMC efforts, such as the annual gift of Thanksgiving dinners to all patients of County Dialysis Center, as well as the work of a number of community organizations. Selection of which organizations and causes to support is made by a committee of employees who participate in the program based on submitted applications.
“TAMC takes seriously its commitment to our county community. As a non-profit organization, we are required to provide community benefit as part of what we do. In 2013 alone, we reported almost $17 million worth of community benefit activity, which includes a significant amount of financial assistance — that we provide for those who have no other means to pay for services, as well as in health education and awareness activity, free health screenings, and community support,” said TAMC President and CEO Sylvia Getman.
“The Casual for a Cause program further shows the commitment of our employees and their families to the betterment of our communities. The monetary donations provided directly by our employees through this program are significant, but represent a small percentage of giving by TAMC team members. Annually, our employees donate tens of thousands of hours of volunteer time to the Aroostook County community through their service in support of numerous causes and organizations,” she added.
Funds from Casual for a Cause were recently awarded to the organizations that were designated in May, June, July and August. Each organization received a $500 check.
The recipient of May’s funds was Aroostook Mental Health Center. AMHC has dedicated contributions to the purchase of track suit bags used for victims of sexual assault.
“The track suit bags are used for victims who turn their clothing over when having a forensic exam done in the emergency department,” said Wendy Page, community educator for AMHC Sexual Assault Services. “These track suits are something they can put on after they have been examined and had the chance to take a shower. It’s something comfortable that they can wear to leave the hospital.”
June’s funds were presented to the Presque Isle Historical Society to support the Maysfield Museum project.
“TAMC’s Casual for a Cause donation will be used toward the purchase of new roofing shingles for our Maysville Grange Restoration project,” said Kim Smith, restoration project leader. “As an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization, we depend entirely on donations and grants to bring our many programs and services to life. Support from local organizations such as TAMC and its employees is key for us to continue to offer our quality family programming.”
The Aroostook Aspirations Initiative (AAI) was the cause that benefited from July’s donations. The organization will use the funds to help provide scholarships for county high school students attending college in Aroostook County.
“The goal of Aroostook Aspirations is to help our kids get a college degree, stay in The County, and help boost our economy,” said Sandy Gauvin, president of AAI. “We thank the staff at TAMC for participating in the Casual for a Cause program and for donating that money to Aroostook Aspirations.”
The August Casual for a Cause proceeds at TAMC benefit the Heather and Liam Connection.
The organization, which supports children with autism and their families, was established following the tragic death of Madawaska native Heather Dawn Bouchard.
The 24-year-old was talking on her cell phone when she was involved in the fatal accident. The memorial project, established by Bouchard’s mother, Judy, honors her daughter’s innate love and ability to enhance the academic, personal and social education of children with autism through relationship development. Liam is the little guy who just happens to be on the autism spectrum that Heather had worked/played with and loved for several years.
“My daughter had a dream to return ‘home’ and open a center for kids with autism and other entangled learners. We, The Heather and Liam Connection, will be opening an after-school program this fall. Thanks to donations from organizations such as TAMC’s Casual for a Cause, we are able to realize my daughter’s dream,” said Judy Bouchard.
This fall TAMC will invite county non-profit organizations interested in being considered as recipients for the 2015 Casual for a Cause to complete an application for funding consideration.
