It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to Scout Troop 139 of Cherryfield led by Scott Davis, Amanda Davis, Lorena Caler, and Kaitlin Merchant.
Saturday April 17, Troop 139 held a food drive to help the community members who frequent the Mission food pantry. The Troop set up tables at three locations: 4 Corners Shop ‘n Save in Columbia, Bayside Shop ‘n Save in Milbridge, and Matthews Country Store in Steuben.
Troop 139 food drive participants were Hannah Roeber, Emery Merchant, Isaac Merchant, Acadia Verway, Maddie Gay, Sabrina Davis, Kiya Bunnell, Danny Caler, Bishmita Dahl.
Mission Food Programs Coordinator Stephanie Moores said of the drive, “Our food pantry tables were full. I was very excited to have so much food to put away. Canned veggies, fruit, cereal, pasta, soup, even diapers and baby formula!” Stephanie said Troop 139 “also raised over $645 for the pantry. We are so thankful.”
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to the Garden Club of Mount Desert.
It is always a joyful sign of spring when the Mission receives an annual gift from the Garden Club of Mount Desert. As far back as our records go, this wonderful organization has supported the work of the Mission. We so appreciate their mission – which began in 1923 – and how they improve life on MDI.
During the Depression, vegetable plots were established by members and unemployed island men tended them to supplement their incomes. The Garden Club has undertaken civic projects throughout the years. The Garden Club has an Open Garden Day every other year. After expenses are met, 100 percent of the proceeds are donated to local horticultural and conservation organizations.
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to Good Shepherd Food Bank.
Good Shepherd helps the Mission provide healthy, nutritious food to thousands of people in Washington County. They help us feed people who can’t quite make ends meet. People who make difficult decisions each week or month about what bill to pay: rent, electricity, heat, gas, car repairs, a trip to the doctor, medicine or food.
The caring, capable, and knowledgeable staff at Good Shepherd have provided the support the Mission needs to stock our food pantry, and expand our reach to schools, families, and the elderly.
“Often, when I speak with a Good Shepherd staff member,” said Mission Service Program Director Wendy Harrington, “they thank me for everything my organization and staff do to help feed people in our community.”
The Mission would like to say “thank you” back. Thank you for taking such good care of us and the people we serve.
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to nurses Maureen Giffin and Peggy Akers, who have joined Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley – also a nurse – in administering Covid-19 vaccinations to people in our island communities.
“What a pleasure and honor it is to work with two amazing dedicated nurses doing the island Covid Vaccine clinics on the islands,” said Sharon Daley. “There is no way I could do it without them. I’ve called and asked them, “Can you work this day?’, only to call back and changed the day due to vaccine not coming in. Still, their answer is always yes.
“I have called them with numerous questions,” Sharon continued. “Without fail they help me find the answers. Maureen and Peggy have been adaptable to climbing down ladders onto boats, flying on little planes when the wind is howling, and anything else they need to do.
“Most of all,” said Sharon, “they treat each person they meet with care and respect. I am honored to work beside them and call them friends.”
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout of Mission love goes to MDI Hospital in Bar Harbor, ME and Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, ME for partnering with the Mission to get us the Covid-19 vaccine we’re using in our series of Maine island vaccination clinics.
The Mission is providing vaccination clinics on Swan’s Island, Great Cranberry Island, Islesford, Matinicus, Frenchboro, Monhegan, and Isle au Haut. The Mission island vaccine clinics are expected to continue for months, and are held in various community buildings on the islands.
Both Pen Bay Medical Center and MDI Hospital are making this possible.
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to Lisa Parsons.
Mission Development Associate Anna Silver said, “I’ve known and admired Lisa for a number of years. She is an enthusiastic supporter of the Mission. So kind, cheerful. Lisa lifts the spirits of anyone she comes into contact with.”
“Lisa is very busy at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust where she is Senior Vice President, Regional Market Manager, yet still finds time to volunteer with the Mission and so many other organizations and communities on Mount Desert Island. The entire MDI community is lucky to have someone so generous and thoughtful. It is always a great privilege to work with Lisa,” said Anna.
Chris Stelling, the Mission’s Director of Development, adds that it never surprises her that when she attends a community-oriented event on MDI, she sees Lisa there – organizing, checking people in, and mainly exuding warmth and welcome.
