It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout-out of Mission love goes to Lorraine Martin and Diane Bennekamper for keeping Downeast Maine kids warm.
In December 2021, Lorraine and Diane rallied a winter coat donation for the Mission. The two women from the Portland area sent appeal letters to family, friends, and fellow Congregational Church in Cumberland UCC parishioners. In response, 50 southern Maine donors collected 233 coats for Downeast youth.
These coats are especially welcome this year. We know in Downeast Washington County too many kids lack suitable winter gear. Donations of new or gently used kids winter coats are in very short supply.
So, thank you Lorraine Martin, Diane Bennekamper, and everyone who responded to their winter coat appeal.
This is what community looks like.
If you would like to donate coats to the Mission, please contact Downeast Campus and EdGE Administrative Assistant Maria Wight for details at 207.546.4466. You can learn more about our community and family support efforts by browsing our program.
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to Witham Family Hotels in Bar Harbor.
Each year recently, Witham Family Hotels hosts a Charitable Christmas Celebration fundraiser. Among its many positives, the Celebration provides gifts for the Mission’s Christmas Program.
This year’s 7th Annual Charitable Christmas Celebration on December 8th was held at the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel in Bar Harbor. This wonderful event offered holiday crafts, hot cocoa and cookies, Santa letter writing, a photo booth, a raffle, and a visit with Santa himself!
Witham Family Hotels’ donations the Mission’s Christmas Program includes science kits, bikes, dolls, art supplies, books — all wonderful gifts children will be thrilled to receive. Thank you for helping make this a merrier Christmas.
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to the entire Mission Covid Vaccine Team.
Mission President John Zavodny, Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley, Island Outreach Director & Chaplain Douglas Cornman, and Mission Board member, Jill Goldthwait express their thanks during a mini-Sunbeam “thank you” cruise to the many good people who helped make a success the months long vaccination clinics on the several islands.
Maureen Giffin, RN, Peggy Akers, NP, EMTs, boat captains, pharmacists, and to everyone who said, “Yes” – we will do what it takes to get this done – thank you. With your help and knowledge 343 people were vaccinated over a three-month period.
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.
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.
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love is for all the magnificent sponsors of the 2021 President’s Scholarship Celebration (PSC) on Wednesday, July 14.
This inspiring event recognizes and honor students in the Mission’s educational programs and the people, the entities, who inspire them. The PSC is an opportunity to present Mission scholarships and the Mission lanyard to our 2021 Mission Scholars. We also recognize a student Trailblazer, and a Mission Guide who demonstrated advocacy and support for educational opportunity.
In sum, the 2021 PSC is a celebration of the accomplishments and potential of our young adults. We are continually grateful to the business people who make this celebration possible.
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