SOUTHERN MAINE

Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution recently donated more than $337,000 to non-profits across Southern Maine.

The funds will benefit food pantries, fuel assistance programs, schools and youth programs. It will also support programs for the elderly, the arts and the environment.

Bangor Savings Bank awarded $500 checks to Hospice of Southern Maine and the Maine Island Trail Association during a ceremony last month at a Portland Pirates game at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

PORTLAND

VIP Parts, Tires and Service, New England’s leading automotive retailer, raised $32,000 for Make-A-Wish.

“Many people do not realize that we are focused on helping local children and that money donated within your state stays there,” Tom Peaco, executive director of Make-A-Wish Maine said in a press release. “In Maine, we grant a wish every five days and the average cost is $6,000. This campaign through VIP allows the general public to give what they can and come together to help us in a substantial way.”

VIP has partnered with Make-A-Wish to raise nearly $165,000 over the past four years. These funds have helped to grant 27 wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Unum and its employees contributed nearly $2 million last year to non-profit organizations throughout Maine.

Unum strengthened its commitment to higher education through partnerships with the University of Maine and the Maine Community College System that aim to expand high demand programs, offer academic support services and increase overall student retention and enrollment, the press release said.

“Unum has a long and proud tradition of giving back to the communities where we work and live,” Joe Foley, chief marketing officer, said in the release. “It’s very rewarding to see that our employees are equally dedicated to our tradition of community support.

Maine’s credit unions recently contributed $30,000 to the “Keep ME Warm” program.

The contribution will purchase nearly 9,000 gallons of fuel for families across Maine.

The “Keep ME Warm” Program is part of an ongoing effort by Maine’s credit unions to help consumers heat their homes. This past fall, nearly two-thirds of the state’s credit unions offered special energy loans with an average rate of four percent. Some of those credit unions offered energy loans at zero percent. Maine credit unions set aside nearly $5 million in funds for energy loans for the 2011-2012 heating season.

BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

The People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, recently awarded $6,000 to Jobs for Maine’s Graduates, Inc. for their success with financial literacy program.

The program serves more than 4,000 students from grades 6 through 12, in 64 programs throughout Maine. The goal is to provide students with the skills and resources they need to overcome those challenges, and to graduate from high school prepared to succeed in postsecondary education, the workforce, and their communities.

People’s United Community Foundation awarded another $3,500 to Special Olympics Maine.
The donation will help to offset the escalating costs of the Special Olympics 2012 State Summer Games, which will be held June 8 through 10 at the University of Maine in Orono.

BRUNSWICK

Downeast Energy has pledged to donate $5,000 worth of fuel if $10,000 is raised this weekend during the Freeze Out Food and Fuel Drive.

On Saturday, volunteers and board members from Brunswick’s Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program and Freeport Community Services will stand in the cold for 24 hours as part of a food and fuel aid drive and fundraiser.

Both events will run from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday.

The Brunswick Freeze Out will be held in the Norway Savings Bank parking lot at Cook’s Corner. The Freeport event will take place in front of the First Parish UCC Church at 40 Main Street.

Volunteers at both events will accept nonperishable food donations and cash donations. For more information, call 725-2716 or 869-1005.

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