To me, November has always been a time of giving and reflection. This year even more so with the recent passing of my mother. Mom was never more proud then when I became Mission president. She just loved following the adventures of the Sunbeam and our EdGE kids on social media.
Mom would have loved the newest edition of the Mission Bulletin. It’s just full of amazing Mission kids: the littles, the middles, and the bigs. We’re calling it the Education Issue, because it puts all of our education programs into larger social context and outlines how our education programs might serve in the future.
Speaking of the printed page, letters will be in the mail shortly inviting you to participate in this year’s annual fund. We recently named it the “Mission Fund,” as a constant reminder of exactly why we’re engaged in this work. Thank you for considering a gift as we work to fully fund current programs and secure the Mission’s future as well.
To honor those of you who have included the Mission in your estate planning, we are also announcing the creation of the “Hope Society.” Hope Society membership is simple: if you have included the Mission in your legacy planning, you are a member. As simple as that. Please do let us know if you choose to honor the Mission in this way so we can properly honor you.
This Thanksgiving season I’m grateful that, in her last months, my Mom was able to know and love the Mission. I am most grateful for your kind thoughts, prayers, and gifts to the Mission in her honor, and for your ongoing support of the important work of the Maine Seacoast Mission.
From the littles, the middles, and the bigs we help educate to the “kids” of all ages gathered around a community meal downeast or on the islands, the Mission community has much to be thankful for.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — Open Mic Night on fall and winter Wednesdays at the Mission’s Weald Bethel Community Center are a great way to bring people together to make and/or listen to music. October 30, 2019, Mission President John Zavodny stopped by at Open Mic, grabbed a guitar, and played an impromptu “Werewolves of London.” John was accompanied by Steve Harley (gtr), Cambo (perc), and Mission Downeast Campus Facilities Manager Scott Shaw (bs).
Learn more about all the happenings at the Weald Bethel Community Center.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — Halloween 2019. This is the ghoulish Downeast Campus Center Crew dressed to kill, says Mission Downeast Campus Facilities Manager Scott Shaw.
Learn more about the Mission’s Downeast Campus activities.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — The septic system being installed today. American Concrete Industries, Bangor, ME donated the septic tank. John Goodwin (John Goodwin, Jr. Construction) who has done all the grounds work. County Concrete donated the stone, gravel, and all of the materials.
Milbridge ME — On Tuesday October 22, 2019, John Goodwin Jr. Construction, Southwest Harbor, ME started groundbreaking work on our Tiny House’s land in Milbridge. A heavy equipment operator, and an employee with a chainsaw spent the day prepping the land our Veteran will soon call home.
Our next phase will involve a septic system and concrete crew. If you’d like to become one of our sponsors please contact Bobbi Ann Harris at 664-2424.
Director of Island Outreach Douglas Cornman visiting with Maine unbridged island students. (Photo by Tristan Spinski.)
Stories of Giving Back Maine’s nonprofit community provides helping hands wherever there’s need, and offer much to say thanks for this season.downeast.com
Hope Floats By land and by sea, Maine Seacoast Mission offers a lifeline to residents of islands and Down East coastal communities.
From the moment Brenda Clark stepped foot on Isle au Haut, she loved the feeling of peacefulness she felt there — surrounded by ocean, 6 miles from the mainland. Her love of island life hasn’t ebbed in the two decades since she moved. But now that Clark is 65, it has gotten more complex. Getting medical attention off-island can be expensive and time-consuming. “It can be a real hardship,” Clark says.
For Clark and other year-round islanders, Maine Seacoast Mission offers a critical lifeline. Its M/V Sunbeam V, a 74-foot floating support vessel, stops on 10 unbridged islands regularly providing food, fellowship, and healthcare. Sunbeam Steward Jillian serves meals. Island Outreach Director and Chaplain Douglas Cornman offers counseling, activities, and classes. Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley, RN performs routine health screenings, hosts telemedicine visits with primary care doctors and other medical professionals, and she comes ashore to visit homebound islanders.
Director Daley is also active with several island health workers in helping island elderly have the option of aging in place within their communities. Daley hosts an annual Island Elder Care Conference sponsored by Maine Seacoast Mission
