FARMINGTON — The United Way of the Tri-Valley Area seeks nominations for the annual Gary A. LaGrange Community Impact Award.

Applications are due Wednesday, Feb. 9, for those who have gone above and beyond for the community (individual or business) with the added challenge of an ongoing pandemic. Nominations can be downloaded at uwtva.org and them mailed, emailed to [email protected], or dropped off at the office.

LaGrange’s commitment to serving others was lifelong, according to a news release from the United Way. His passion for helping people with energy conservation fueled his career with Maine Community Action agencies, including building and repairing homes, facilitating fuel assistance programs, conducting energy audits and teaching home buyer education.  He was often asked to go the extra step to help a homeowner, and this he willingly did, often on his on time.

LaGrange played Santa for Headstart classrooms each holiday, directed hundreds of Christmas packages to children through Operation Santa Claus and brought sets to life with the Sandy River Players.

Upon retirement, LaGrange was a lead volunteer with a United Way of the Tri-Valley Area program, the Community Energy Challenge, which builds interior storm panels to save homeowners’ energy and provides energy education help to control fuel costs.  He served on the executive committee of the Wilson Grange, and was a site manager for East Parish Housing Ministry, helping rehab homes with visiting mission groups.

For more information about United Way, visit its website, call the office at 207-778-5048, visit its Facebook page, or stop by the office at 218 Fairbanks Road in Farmington.