COMMUNITY COLLEGE BENEFITS

The 2010 “April in Paris” wine dinner to support student scholarships at York County Community College was sold out and raised more than $5,000. Sponsoring the financial success of the event were contributions from TD Bank, Pratt & Whitney, Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution and Savings Bank of Maine.

Additional Photos

Bill Kany, left, and Joey Donnelly attend the 2010 "April in Paris" wine dinner. The event raised more than $5,000 for scholarships. Courtesy photo

Anne Cyr, left, creator of the Learning Garden Project, receives a $700 donation from Melanie Lee, South Portland branch manager of Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution. Courtesy photo

CARING UNLIMITED GETS $7,000
Caring Unlimited has received grants totalling $7,000 from the One Day at a Time Fund and the York County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation. The grants will support the Children’s Services Program in offering parenting courses for mothers who have experienced domestic abuse.

Since 1977, Caring Unlimited has been working with the community to end domestic violence in York County by providing support and a safe haven to women, children and men affected by domestic abuse.

STEM RECEIVES DONATION

The Maine Commission for Community Service announced the receipt of a $35,000 donation from Time Warner Cable that will support STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Service Learning projects in Maine schools.

The donation will allow the commission to receive a matching amount in federal money, making the donation more significant, commission grants officer Michael Ashmore said.

In addition to larger awards of $10,000, there will be five $1,000 awards available for teachers starting with service learning.
Schools will be able to apply for grant funds through the commission, and interested parties should visit www.maineservicecommission.gov for more information.

BANKS FUEL DEVELOPMENT FUND

The Western Mountains Alliance, a regional community and economic development organization in Farmington, has received two gifts from community banks to support a $25,000 challenge from the Maine Community Foundation to create an endowment.

Bangor Savings Bank has donated $1,000 toward the campaign and pledged an additional $1,000. Franklin Savings Bank announced a $2,000 gift toward the endowment as well.

KIDS GET TO SEE A BALLGAME

For a second year, Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees throughout the state are sending 200 children to Portland Sea Dogs home games
With 20 tickets reserved for 10 home games, Dunkin’ Donuts is giving groups the opportunity to see a game, meet the players and be recognized during the game.

Recently, the Boys and Girls Club was selected to receive the tickets for a home game.
If organizations wish to be considered for tickets, e-mail Dunkindugout@gmail.com.

VOLUNTEER EFFORTS CITED

“Credit Unions Share for ME,” the volunteer program of Maine Credit Union, released results of volunteer efforts by Maine’s credit unions during 2009.

The program documented 23,945.5 hours spent volunteering in local communities throughout the year.
Based on figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that calculates one hour volunteered in Maine is equal to $16.36, the value of time volunteered by credit union staff and directors totaled just under $392,000.

The five credit unions contributing the most volunteer hours were Saco Valley Credit Union in Saco, Five County Credit Union in Bath, Rainbow Federal Credit Union in Lewiston, Community Credit Union in Lewiston and Midcoast Federal Credit Union in Bath.
Those five credit unions also had the highest average number of individuals volunteering each month.

AND $700 TO GROW ON

Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution has donated $700 to the Skillin Elementary School Learning Garden Project, giving the program an early jump on the season.

The project, which includes a perennial garden, bird and butterfly garden and herb garden amid a walking path, will grow this year with plans for adding a wetland area.

Teacher Anne Cyr brought the garden to life in 2005 and it has been capturing the interest of South Portland students since.

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