DANFORTH, Maine — Machias Savings Bank funding recently benefited two area schools with cultural projects.
Back on Nov. 17, a group of 27 East Grand After School Program students attended the RSU 29 musical presentation “Seussical.”
“The funds not only provided these young students with the opportunity to engage in a cultural event, but contributed to the long active Houlton Middle and High School Drama Program through admissions,” said Carolyn Fickett, director of special projects. “The cast took a moment after the play to join the East Grand attendees for a photo op.”
Fickett added it was exciting for the children to mingle with the characters, and they were all excited and thankful for this opportunity.
The Machias Savings Bank (MSB) money for this event was just a part of the $1,500 awarded to Maine Family Resource Center (MFRC) back in October. The funds are to be spent throughout this school year on cultural, STEM, or outdoor ed related field trips for three after school programs.
The other two programs to benefit from the MSB funds are Houlton Southside School and Hodgdon Middle-High School’s after school programs. These two sites are 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC). This is their fourth year in a five-year grant. This year these two sites received 25 percent less funding. Next year will be the final year with 35 percent less from the grant.
“This money means a lot to MFRC,” Fickett stated. “It becomes harder with less money to continue to provide these opportunities for our programs. Every June, Hodgdon Middle-High School ends its after school programming with a white water rafting trip. Houlton Southside travels with students to Boston, Portland, and Bangor, touring museums, attending plays and cultural events, like the Folk Festival. Without partners like the Machias Savings Bank, many of these events and activities would not happen.”
There are three other 21st CCLC programs at various stages of funding: Mill Pond Elementary in Hodgdon, Katahdin Middle and High School, and the newest, Katahdin Elementary, both in Stacyville. Every site takes their students somewhere and most several times during a school year and summer program.
Fickett stressed the importance of what Machias Savings Bank and others, are doing by contributing and supporting after school program field trips. “These trips allow students to apply what they have learned in the classroom, expand their experiences beyond the norm of their life, build friendships, inspire leadership, and broaden the scope of their community,” she said.
We would invite any organization or individual interested in contributing to these programs to call us at 448-2383.”.
