SOUTH PORTLAND

Wright Express recently made a $50,000 contribution to the Maine Cancer Foundation’s Tri for a Cure all-women’s triathlon as the 2012 presenting sponsor.

“We could not be more pleased to serve as the presenting sponsor for the Tri for a Cure and the Twilight 5K,” Wright Express chairman, president and CEO, Michael Dubyak said in a press release.

“Maine Cancer Foundation is deeply committed to cancer research, education and patient support – and we are deeply committed to its mission to find a cure and to support the people of Maine who find themselves affected by this disease.”

PORTLAND

Maine’s credit unions contributed $30,000 to the Keep ME Warm Program, which will be used to purchase nearly 9,000 gallons of fuel for families across Maine.

The program is a collaboration of ten United Way organizations in Maine and the ten Community Action Programs. The contribution was made to help offset cuts to the federal low income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP.

The People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, awarded $3,000 to The Center for Grieving Children.

The center, which is based in Portland, serves more than 4,000 grieving children, teens, families, and young adults each year through peer support, outreach, and education. The donation from will support its multicultural peer support program.

FREEPORT

Freeport Community Services raised its $10,000 goal during the annual fundraiser, “Freeze Out Food and Fuel Drive.” Now, Downeast Energy will follow through in its pledge to donate $5,000 worth of fuel to the organization.

Downeast Energy issued the challenge to the community last week that if the group reached its goal, it would make the fuel donation.

Volunteers and board members from Freeport Community Services and Brunswick’s Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program gathered Saturday to stay outside for 24 hours shaking hands and collecting money and food for both organizations.

WATERVILLE

The Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers raised more than $2,000 last month at its annual dinner.

The group hosted their annual dinner at The Elks Club in Waterville to bring together employees, community members, and businesses that have supported the adoption agency. The event included dinner, an awards ceremony and a silent auction. The event raised more than $2,000 to support the agency.

“This was a wonderful evening that shared information about the programs that The Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers provides, while honoring those who have worked tirelessly to make those programs strong,” Sharon Abrams, executive director of the agency said in a press release.

SANFORD

Prime Motor Group recently donated $5,000 to Grahamtastic, and in partnership with the Toyota Dealer Match Program, arranged for a $5,000 matching donation from Toyota Motor Sales.

Prime recently attended a business-after-hours event hosted by the Sanford/Springvale Chamber of Commerce at the Backstreet Grill.

The guest of honor was Leslie Morissette, co-founder of Grahamtastic Connection, one of the Prime Motor Group’s top charities.

Grahamtastic Connection provides laptops to seriously ill children and Internet access.

Prime Motor Group also sponsors the Laptop Mobile and helps every month with paying for the vehicle that Morissette uses to pursue her mission.

For more info, visit www.grahamtastic.org.

SACO

The United Way of York County awarded a $15,000 grant to Sweetser’s school-based outpatient services to support under insured and uninsured children and families in York County.
The grant is part of the United Way’s support of educational and health programs throughout the area.
Sweetser’s school-based program serves 93 schools in 20 districts throughout Maine.

BIDDEFORD

Northeast Delta Dental Foundation awarded a $3,000 grant to the Biddeford Free Clinic to support its new Dental Wellness Center.

“The Northeast Delta Dental Foundation cares about the health of everyone in our community,” Joan Gordon, the clinic’s executive director said in a press release. “We are grateful for their continued and significant support.”

BANGOR

The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to The Apprenticeshop, a traditional boat building school in Rockland.