Between snowstorms and below-zero temps, Saco Spirit is pausing to reflect on the year just past while also gearing up to promote a positive spirit for the year ahead.

Saco Spirit, the city’s nonprofit, downtown revitalization and merchant support group, has much to be thankful for. Tops on the list are our volunteers, who give so much of their valuable time. We could not do what we do without their unconditional and tireless efforts.

From the volunteer board of directors, to dedicated committee chairs and members, to community event coordinators, parade coordinators, advocates, ambassadors and advisers, gardeners, artists, historians, churches, businesses, brokers, bankers and candlestick makers, young and not so young, we all work together to make Saco a better place for everyone.

A few of the more visible projects along Main Street that Saco Spirit coordinates throughout the year include the seasonal pole banners, the across-the-street banners, which promote upcoming events throughout the city, and the holiday decorations, which are all managed and scheduled cooperatively with public works.

The annual flower program, which is growing in popularity, begins early in February when volunteers start meeting with Moody’s nursery to prepare greenhouse space to nurture the flowers for more than 45 large planters, which are then located throughout the downtown. This program is sponsored, in part, by merchants and through the adoption of planters by various civic groups and individuals. The flowers are planted and continually monitored by volunteers who help to make sure they thrive throughout the spring and summer season.

Other seasonal decorations in the downtown, like cornstalks, pumpkins or additional lighting are managed by Saco Spirit and are often sponsored by local businesses and most are also volunteer driven.

All community events in the downtown are managed and coordinated by Saco Spirit and a variety of very enthusiastic volunteers and civic groups.

The community anxiously awaits each event, from the Sidewalk Arts Festival in June, to the Main Street car show later in the summer, the very popular Pumpkin Harvest Festival in the fall and the Holiday Festival and Parade of Lights in December.

These events are sponsored by local businesses and institutions, which benefit from the heightened exposure and promotion. Saco Spirit also works closely with all city departments to make sure these events are fun and safe for everyone.

Saco Spirit supports the local business community by offering merchant meetings, known as Breakfast Clubs, where owners, employees and guests can get together and talk over issues affecting their lives and businesses, share marketing ideas or connect with city officials and department heads.

Saco Spirit is an accredited member of the National Main Street Program, which provides opportunities to network with other communities throughout the state and the nation. The group also belongs to the Maine Development Foundation’s Downtown Center, which serves as the state coordinator for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Program.

In addition, Saco Spirit advocates for downtown businesses at council hearings and provides information and advice or endorses projects that will either directly or indirectly impact the downtown area.

In 2013, Saco Spirit, in conjunction with the Maine Development Foundation, instituted a Healthy Main Street Program, which is designed to help small businesses monitor and potentially improve the health of their workplace and their employees. This exciting new program continues to evolve and we are looking forward to a healthy future with expanded health-related activities in the downtown.

As Saco Spirit sets goals for the New Year, the group is also committed to maintaining the many activities and programs that are already in place. This includes continuing to provide support and resources to existing businesses, presenting a business-friendly environment, which is inviting to new business, and continuing to encourage the community to support local businesses and rediscover the downtown and all it has to offer.

Nadeen DeSilva has served as executive director of Saco Spirit since 2008. If you are interested in learning more about the group or would like to become involved, contact Nadeen at 286-3546, see www.sacospirit.com or look up Saco Spirit’s Facebook page.

Johanna Hoffman is a longtime board member and past president of Saco Spirit.

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