It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to this year’s Trailblazer Award winner at our 2021 President’s Scholarships Celebration – Brittney Church.
Brittney, a Narraguagus High School (NHS) graduate, is entering her fourth year at the University of Maine Farmington studying Elementary Education. She is incredibly driven, smart, and resilient. In addition to her regular course work, Brittney is enrolled in graduate classes.
Brittney has been with the Mission’s EdGE program first as a participant, then as a paid EdGE employee. She was a standout to anyone witnessing her care and compassion with students. She was – and is – a strong advocate for the young children of Washington County. Working with our mentor program at NHS, Brittney was loved by students and staff. Selecting her as a 2018 EdGE Scholarship recipient was an easy choice.
Brittney has responded to a life with many hardships by becoming a very nurturing person; an amazing friend, sister, student, and teacher. In her “spare time” Brittney tutors math to students in the Cherryfield area. She is currently working full-time at a daycare, while studying remotely because of the pandemic.
Through hard work and sacrifices, Brittney bought herself a new car. She is very independent, determined, and stands up for what she thinks is right. Brittney will always keep true to what she believes is important. We are so excited to help her on her journey.
Scott Shaw during a wind therapy session on a backroad in Maine.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — I am the Downeast Campus Facilities Manager and the Housing Rehabilitation Manager, and I joined the Mission in 2003.
The older housing stock in Washington County has always been challenging for families to maintain. With the help of hundreds of amazing volunteers every normal, non-Covid year, we assist with needed repairs so families can rest assured their homes are safe. I have been lucky enough to be a part of this work, and to see the tremendous difference it makes to our community.
My favorite place — besides enjoying my family — would be out on my bike exploring areas of the State I’ve never seen. Maine is a large, beautiful State and there are so many endless backroads and vistas to enjoy. I call the ride “wind therapy” — and it truly is. Maine will always hold a very special place in my heart.
With less than three weeks to go before the Sunbeam Award Gala 2021, we thank our wonderful sponsors for their generous support of the Maine Seacoast Mission’s fundraising event in support of our community.
Today, help us thank our Bronze sponsors. Visit them on the web.
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME – With just three weeks to go before the Sunbeam Award Gala 2021, we want to thank our wonderful sponsors for their generous support of the Maine Seacoast Mission’s fundraising event in support of our community.
Today, help us thank our Copper sponsors. Visit them online:
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to BettyAnn and Ben Haskell of Brewer, ME for preserving a lovely piece of Mission island history and gifting it back the Mission.
Ben Haskell’s father, Reverend Stanley Haskell, was a Sunbeam Boat Minister (1974-1985).
“When dad retired,” said Ben Haskell, “the women of the various island churches presented” father and mother, Ethel, “with an amazing goose down quilt, exquisitely handmade, with each panel telling a story of the local church, the Sunbeam visits, and the coast of Maine.”
“For over 15 years the quilt hung on a wall of my parents’ home,” Mr. Haskell said when first presenting the quilt BettyAnn Haskell had restored to original condition, after the Reverend’s passing. Ben Haskell described the quilt as “this incredible piece of island craftsmanship and message of love from the churches to my father.”
After a bit of time in storage, as the Mission moved from Bar Harbor to the new Colket Center in Northeast Harbor, it was a great moment this summer when Island Outreach Director & Chaplain Douglas Cornman – Rev. Stanley Haskell’s successor – was able to bring the quilt to the Sunbeam where it now brings a smile to the faces of many islanders – a great topic of conversation and a warm symbol of shared history, island to island.
