United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s fall Campaign raised $1,946,193, well surpassing its $1,850,000 goal, campaign leaders announced at the Campaign Finale. It is the highest amount raised since 2011. United Way funds critical programs serving residents of Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties, Brunswick and Harpswell.

“This is a great result; an incredible achievement by so many people,” said Campaign Chair Rick Bohan of L.L. Bean. “This proves once again that the people of Mid Coast Maine are incredibly generous and compassionate, and we will never let each other down.”

United Way Board Chair Connie Jones, of LincolnHealth, said: “The campaign is hard work, and it’s fun, and it’s important. I’m in awe of the people who plan and carry out this incredible community-wide effort.”

Members of the 2016 Campaign Cabinet included Superintendent Steve Bailey of AOS 93 Schools and Stacy Miller of LincolnHealth, among others. KL Long of Bremen served as a loaned executive. The staff campaign director is Tom Blatz of Wiscasset.

Bohan noted that many current residential and professional donors give at the end of the calendar year, and their expected giving is included in the projected total. Donations can be sent to United Way of Mid Coast Maine, 34 Wing Farm Parkway, Bath, ME 04530. People can also call 207-443-9752 to give by credit card, ask to be billed, give monthly via credit card or bank debit, or contribute stocks or securities.  All individuals in Mid Coast Maine are included in the community effort and encouraged to give. 

Bath Iron Works received United Way’s Campaign Excellence Award, increasing their campaign by more than $110,000 to a total of $730,078. “BIW employees – you are amazing,” said Bohan in presenting the award to the campaign team led by Bob Murray, Steve Cornish, and John Portela. “Please tell everyone you work with, from United Way and our community, that we are thankful, that we are so impressed, and that we are so, so grateful.” Bohan said that at BIW, which helped form United Way of Mid Coast Maine 60 years ago, the team worked hard to see as many employees as possible in group meetings, and to let them know of the challenge United Way faces with many long-time supporters retiring from the workplace. They encouraged newer, younger employees to take the “opportunity to give…so these programs will be there for the next 60 years.”

 A special feature of this fall’s campaign was a $60,000 Match, in honor of United Way’s 60th anniversary. Several strong United Way supporters collectively pledged to match all new and increased giving, dollar for dollar, up to $60,000 campaign-wide. Bohan thanked these donors at the Finale, and let them know that over $230,000 was generated this year in new and increased giving.

The Volunteer of the Year Award was won by Debra Blum, coordinator of the United Way campaign at the town of Brunswick, whose employees increased giving by 21 percent over last year. “Thank you, Deb, for your commitment, hard work, and positive energy,” concluded Bohan in presenting the Award.

Campaigns receiving Division Awards included Downeast Energy (Commerce and Industry Division), RSU 1 Schools (Education Division), co-winners Bath Savings Institution and Five County Credit Union (Finance & Professional Firms Division), Mid Coast – Parkview Health (Health Division), Elmhurst, Inc. (Public Service Division) and Engineering-Design (Bath Iron Works Division). Other excellent campaigns were held elsewhere, including at FHC, Inc., and L.L. Bean.

Loaned Executives who worked on the campaign for ten weeks include: John Portela of BIW and Local S6, K.L. Long of L.L. Bean, John Descoteaux, Diane Herrick, and Deni Tirrell.

Organizations that sponsored Loaned Executives are: Bath Iron Works, Local S6, Bath Savings Institution, FHC, Inc., L.L. Bean, and Norway Savings Bank. LL Bean, Hannaford, M.W. Sewall, Sebasco Harbor Resort, and Amtrak donated incentives for workplace campaigns.

United Way’s mission is “to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.” Approximately 20,000 Mid Coast residents were helped last year by United Way and its 37 local partner agencies. More information on United Way’s results in improving lives, including this year’s local video, can be found at www.uwmcm.org.