JAY — OTIS Federal Credit Union raised a total of $10,850.40 for the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger over the course of 2020. After receiving an additional contribution of $487.77 from the Maine Credit Union League, the Credit Union will have $11,335.65 at its disposal to distribute to community hunger organizations, according to a news release from the nonprofit financial institution.
One hundred percent of the funds raised by OTIS FCU for Ending Hunger stay local.
Fundraising totals were recently announced at the Ending Hunger Celebration Luncheon, which was held virtually this year. Representing OTIS FCU at the luncheon were its Ending Hunger Committee co-chairwoman and chairman, Darice Dubreuil, vice president; and Ryan Souther, digital branch and facilities manager. Of the Campaign, Dubreuil and Souther stated, “We know that 2020 was a trying year for everyone and that food pantries were called upon by (more) community members. … We had to be more creative with our fundraising efforts for Ending Hunger due to our lobby being closed periodically and are very pleased with the results and our ability to help our communities,” according to the release.
Maine credit unions and credit union chapters from all over the state, as well as the Maine Credit Union League/Synergent, collectively raised a record-breaking total of $969,775 for Ending Hunger in 2020. Since 1990, Maine’s credit unions, chapters, and Credit Union League have raised over $10.4 million for the Campaign for Ending Hunger, 100% of which has directly benefited hunger organizations in Maine.
The Frances Perkins Center welcomes new board members
NEWCASTLE — The Frances Perkins Center has added two new members to its board of directors in 2021: Carl R. Nold of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Keith Mestrich of Washington, D.C.
Board chairwoman Sarah Peskin said, “We’re thrilled that two such distinguished leaders have agreed to share their deep experience in their respective fields with the Frances Perkins Center,” according to a news release from the center.
Keith Mestrich Photo courtesy of the Frances Perkins Center
Mestrich recently retired as president and chief executive officer of Amalgamated Bank. Appointed CEO in June 2014, Mestrich brings three decades of executive leadership experience in the financial sector, along with expertise in labor, nonprofits, political organizations and foundations. An accomplished author and speaker, Mestrich co-authored “Organized Money,” and is regularly featured as a commentator in The New York Times, The Washington Post, HuffPost, CNN, MSNBC, and American Banker. In addition to the Frances Perkins Center, Mestrich serves on numerous nonprofit boards including the Roosevelt Institute, the Mayor’s Fund for New York City, the Democracy Alliance, D.C.-based Martha’s Table, and the New York Department of Financial Services State Charter Advisory Board. He is also a founding member of the Aspen Institute’s Finance Fellowship and an active participant in the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
Carl R. Nold Pierce Harman
Nold is a nationally recognized leader for not-for-profit cultural organizations. Nold has served as chairman of the American Alliance of Museums, America’s national museum association; chairman, Midwest Association of Museums; vice-chairman, Virginia Association of Museums; secretary, Michigan Museums Association; and ex-officio chairman of ICOM-US, the U.S. branch of the International Council of Museums. He is a Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society and the American Antiquarian Society, a life member of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, and served for 17 years as a member of the grant-making board for the George B. Henderson Foundation. Nold led Historic New England, the oldest and largest regional preservation organization in the U.S., as president and chief executive officer for 17 years.
Pet supply store’s Fenway Fund accepting grant applications
The Loyal Biscuit Co., based in Rockland, created the Fenway Fund during its 10th year of business as a way of giving back to the many communities they serve.
“Named after our beloved logo, my dog Fenway, it is funded by proceeds of sales within our seven retail locations as well as from the sales of our signature coffee, Fenway’s Rescue Blend from the Coffee Hound Coffee Co.,” said Heidi Neal, co-owner of Loyal Biscuit Co., according to the release.
Fenway Fund Grants are awarded bi-annually to Maine nonprofit organizations that benefit animals. Proposals are reviewed and winners selected by a committee of Loyal Biscuit Co. team members.
“The fund is a vital way for our company to support animal welfare within our communities by providing seed money for projects in Maine. The committee will be looking for projects which often fall below funding availability, projects that we believe will help better the lives of animals in the state of Maine,” Neal said.
To date, $21,100 has been awarded to seven organizations. Projects have varied from the addition of a new feline recovery room at the PAWS Animal Adoption Center, a new website for the Underhound Railroad, to the purchase of an ultrasound machine for the Humane Society Waterville Area.
The application for the fund is available online at loyalbiscuit.com. Applications must be submitted by Sunday, Feb. 28, in order to be considered for the review process.
UScellular kicks off 2021 Community Connections Program
For the seventh year in a row, youth-focused organizations in Maine can earn up to $1,000 through UScellular’s Community Connections program. Whether it’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs; sports teams; marching bands; dance team; arts; or a variety of other groups, organizers can sign up at communityconnections.uscellular.com and start earning money for their activity, 100% virtually, according to a news release from UScellular.
Once registered online, nonprofit groups representing youth from kindergarten up to 12th grade have 14 days to rally their friends, families and social followers to complete digital activities like watching a video or following UScellular on its social channels to earn funds. Each completed activity earns money that goes directly to the organization.
“Now more than ever, K-12 groups are in need of funds to support their activities and initiatives,” said Tabatha McKay, area vice president/general manager for UScellular in New England, according to the release. “The Community Connections program offers an easy, virtual platform for Maine youth organizations to raise money throughout the year and helps kids achieve their goals.”
Since launching the program in 2015, U.S. Cellular has awarded more than $1.4 million to 3,100 groups nationwide to support their needs from equipment purchases to field trips. For more information and to view the official rules, please visit communityconnections.uscellular.com.
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