It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to Shelby Young.
Shelby, a Mission scholar who just graduated from Simmons University, has been a mentor to younger kids in our Journey program, and was part of the interview team for the Davis Maine Scholars program.
Christina Griffith, Mission Director of Student Pathways said, “This spring, when seeking a Mission Scholar to join our inaugural Davis Maine Scholarship interview committee, Shelby came immediately to mind. Her kind presence, thoughtful questions, and invaluable insights as a first-generation college student were essential throughout our interview process.
“If her impressive professional paths find her wanting to engage further with our students, we will always welcome her. Humbly, beautifully, Shelby exemplifies strength, spirit and service. We are inspired and grateful,” said Director Christina Griffith.
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to Isle au Haut ferry Captain Mike Moffett.
Sunbeam Captain Mike Johnson explains, “The ferry is a lifeline for any island. The Isle au Haut ferry carries passengers and freight from its home port in Stonington to the public landing in the Isle au Haut thoroughfare.
“One of the captains is Mike Moffett,” continues Capt. Johnson. “Mike is superb at the wheel, and is quick with a smile for those around him. As a fellow user of the landing, the Sunbeam works carefully with the ferry service to coordinate use of the facility. Mike is easy to work with, and we share a mutual respect of both organizations.
“Mike has also been seen aboard the Sunbeam as a fill-in first mate. His skills are equally impressive on our ship where he stands watch and mingles with our friends on the islands with a comfortable familiarity,” said Johnson.
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to Scott Berry.
“As a volunteer and supporter, Scott Berry has been a driving force in the success of Maine Seacoast Mission’s Housing Rehab Program.” said Scott Shaw, Manager of the Mission’s Housing Rehab Program. “Scott and his team from South Portland have made an incredible difference in the lives of many of our Downeast Maine neighbors through countless years, days, and hours of construction projects he’s been involved with.
“Scott has a heart of gold. He always brings a team spirit and willingness to take on any project we provide. The Mission, and the folks Scott Berry has helped live in safe homes, want to send a huge thank you. Although we can’t be together this year, we look forward to a reunion with Scott and his team next year,” said Manager Scott Shaw.
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to Paul Bennett at Downeast Thunder Creations. Mr. Bennett describes himself on his Facebook page this way: “Engineer, Designer, Fabricator, and Maker [who] creates many items from a variety of materials at Downeast Thunder Farm in Milbridge, Maine.”
Mission Development Associate Anna Silver said, “I was first referred to Paul as someone who might help us create wooden awards for the Mission’s President’s Scholarship Celebration. He told me he was fan of the Mission and would be happy to help.
“After making the awards, Paul had a creative suggestion about making key fobs out of leftover mahogany from the Sunbeam refit,” Anna continued. Then, “He made me a lovely, completely unsolicited, office sign.
“While Paul and I have never met, he has been extremely good to the Mission. I encourage people to take a look at Paul’s work on his website,” Anna said. The Mission appreciates the many talented local business people who help us in so many ways.
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to Trey Shaw and WK Construction & Sons of Addison, ME.
Trey and his crew have done an amazing job on the renovation of the Mission EdGE Center and now on the exterior of the Community Services Program Center (food pantry),” said Downeast Campus Facilities and Housing Rehabilitation Manager Scott Shaw. “Trey has been very particular and conscientious about all the work he and his crew do to make sure the buildings are getting the makeover they deserve. They have been very accommodating, working around the hours the food pantry serves clients. Trey even offered up his crew to assist with a food order from Good Shepherd Food Bank,” said Scott Shaw.
In 2018 WK Construction’s lull lift enabled Housing Rehabilitation Program volunteers to complete, on time, the final phase of the Mission’s Weald Bethel Community Center. Two years later, WK Construction came to the rescue when the Mission and other organizations were placing on its foundation a tiny house specially designed and built for a military veteran with a disability.
“Once the tiny house was delivered and placed, WK Construction’s lull lift donation saved the crews so much work getting the overhangs and roofing complete. Trey Shaw from WK Construction & Sons were life savers. I can’t say enough about Trey and his crew. They do quality work. They are very knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with,” said Shaw.
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to the Maine Mobile Health Program based in Augusta. MMHP is Maine’s only farmworker health organization.
“Community members in [the Downeast] area have faced challenges accessing vaccine appointments through the large vaccination sites. And there aren’t too many of those sites close to this area,” said MMHP CEO Lisa Tapert.
The Mission was happy to say yes to MMHP’s request to use our Downeast Community Center in Cherryfield as a base for a Covid-19 vaccination clinic. MMHP brought the clinic to the area in collaboration with Mission partner Mano en Mano out of Milbridge.
The Mission appreciates MMHP offering health care access to our community members. And we look forward to helping reach future area health goals. This is what community looks like.
