At United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s Campaign Finale, volunteer Chair Bill Brillant said that while there were “hundreds of examples of tremendous generosity and caring,” the Campaign overall did not reach its goal, raising $1,608,178.

“I would say to everyone out there who hasn’t yet given: it’s not too late!” said Brillant. “We are going to keep working to boost these numbers and get more help to more people. United Way’s Campaign is for everyone in Midcoast Maine, and everyone in Midcoast Maine is invited and urged to participate!”

Donations can be sent to United Way of Mid Coast Maine, 34 Wing Farm Parkway, Bath, ME 04530. People can also give online at uwmcm.org/donate, or call 207-443-9752 to give by credit card or ask to be billed. Any workplace not yet holding an employee campaign is strongly encouraged to call. Brillant thanked in advance everyone who will give or pledge by the end of the calendar year, saying that more giving means more people in need will be helped.

Residents of Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties, Brunswick and Harpswell are helped by United Way donations. Approximately 20,000 people received needed help last year through United Way and its local partner agencies including Central Lincoln County YMCA, Coastal Kids Preschool, New Hope for Women, Healthy Kids, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine, Mobius, Habitat for Humanity, Parent Program of Mid-Coast Maine, and many more.

Brillant noted that United Way is facing a demographic challenge, with many of its longtime, largest donors retiring and leaving workplace campaigns. United Way set an ambitious goal of $1.8 million to meet community needs, but the trend continued this year and overall giving dropped.

United Way also celebrated the thousands of donors and dozens of workplaces who have already given so much to the 2017 Campaign, including many who increased their giving.

L.L. Bean received United Way’s Campaign Excellence Award. In presenting the award, Brillant noted that the company runs a “textbook campaign,” using all of United Way’s best practices, had 60 percent employee participation, and increased giving by more than 17 percent. He thanked Employee Campaign Managers Julie Timmreck and Julie Doyon, praised L.L. Bean’s corporate culture of giving, and thanked them for being a “true community partner.”

The Volunteer of the Year Award was given to the United Way campaign team at Bath Savings Institution: Megan Smith-Pinkham, Dan Wilson and Jody Yeaton. Team members organized and attended full United Way rallies for employees at all branch locations, with every rally also featuring Frosty’s doughnuts! Bath Savings also holds a managers’ meeting at the beginning of the campaign to talk about leadership and set the tone of the campaign, and the bank matches all new and increased employee donations as an incentive and additional corporate contribution to United Way. The employee campaign alone raised over $48,000. The volunteer team also is generous in sharing their ideas with other workplaces that want to improve their campaigns, and were thanked by United Way’s Campaign Chair “not only for the enthusiasm and dedication you bring to your roles as Employee Campaign Managers,” but also “for being such committed community members.”

Campaigns receiving Division Awards included The Times Record (Commerce and Industry Division), MSAD 75 Schools (Education Division), Wright-Pierce (Finance & Professional Firms Division), Mid Coast-Parkview Health (Health Division), Independence Association (Public Service Division) and Planning, IT and Program Controls (Bath Iron Works Division). Other excellent campaigns were also held elsewhere, including at LincolnHealth.

Brillant had high praise for all the volunteers who worked on the Campaign, which had as its theme, “Moving Forward Together.”

“Everyone worked very hard, and everyone should feel very proud of what we accomplished together,” he said. “And $1,608,178 is a lot of money!”

Members of the 2017 Campaign Cabinet, in addition to Brillant, include: Steve Cornish, Karen Race, and Bob Murray of Bath Iron Works, Bryan Campbell of Mechanics Savings Bank, Brian Wilson of Panolam Service Systems, Steve Bailey of the Maine School Management Association, Dave Millar of Riley Insurance Agency, Tyler Zamore of Bath Savings Institution, Richard Price of First Advisors, Kelly Holbrook of LincolnHealth, Kim Watson of Mid Coast Senior Health Center, Chris Szalay of SEARCH – Greater Bath, Mark Waltz of the Brunswick Police Department, Stacy Frizzle of People Plus, and Bob Beaumont of CHANS Hospice.

This year’s Loaned Executives who worked full-time on the campaign include: Deanna DeLuca of Norway Savings Bank, Sherri Emery of FHC Inc., Angela Pellerin of Hannaford, John Portela of Bath Iron Works and Local S6, and Deb Sullivan of L.L. Bean. Brillant thanked their sponsoring companies, and Amtrak, Sebasco Harbor Resort, L.L. Bean, Downeast Energy, and Hannaford for donating campaign incentives for new and increased giving.

United Way’s mission is “to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.” More information on United Way’s results in improving lives, including this year’s local video, can be found at www.uwmcm.org.