PROBUS Club hosts United Way leader
The PROBUS Club of Aroostook met at Northern Maine Community College’s Reed Commons with a total of 17 and one new member, Carolyn Woodman. The meeting was called to order at 10 a.m. by the President, Thomas Lunn.
Dana Crory, program chairperson, introduced the special guest, Sherry Locke. A Masardis native, Locke attended Ashland Community High School and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Presque Isle. After college she worked as a retail manager and then most recently as a senior inside claims adjuster for MMG Insurance.
Currently, Locke is the executive director for the United Way of Aroostook. She began at the UWA in November 2015 when Claudia Stevens announced her retirement after 17 years with the organization. She is loving her new role improving the lives of others in Aroostook County. Along with her amazing team she is working hard to grow the United Way of Aroostook and the local impact it has.
Locke lives in Mapleton with her husband Chris and their two children ages 9 and 7.
The mission of the United Way of Aroostook is to mobilize resources to improve the lives of people in our communities. There were 12,645 people served last year. Strengthening children and families, support seniors, promoting self sufficiency and meeting basic needs are some of UWA goals. There are 21 directors on the board with a budget of $550,000.
United Way of Aroostook helps in the following: fund agencies, provide mini grants, coordinate United Way programs, and collaborate with other partners.
United Way programs include Stuff the Bus, Dress a Child, emergency food and shelter program, Santa’s Sleigh project, Summer Slide, free tax preparations, 2-1-1 Maine, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in the Aroostook area.
The Imagination Library, started in 2010 at St. John Valley and adopted by the United Way Board in 2012, is offered at no cost to youngsters from childbirth until their fifth birthday. Each month a new book is mailed to participating children.
It has been determined that: children are more prepared for school, spending more time as a family, reading becomes a priority in their home, and they look forward to receiving the books in the mail. Funding of the project is by the four County hospitals, grants, Kiwanis, Rotary and designated giving.
The PROBUS Club sang “Take me out to the Ball Game” accompanied by Marion Gilman on the piano.
The secretary’s report for the month of August was accepted as read. The treasurer’s report was given by Gerald Gallagher. Janet Snow gave words of wisdom from the AARP Bulletin “How To Complain” the best way to voice your disapproval isn’t to grumble, rant or moan. Experts say there’s a gentler science to making things right when you’ve been wronged.
The October meeting will be at NMCC, Reed Commons at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 20. The November meeting will be at the same time but at the soon-to-open Sargent Family Community Center, Presque Isle’s new rec center.
