It has been one heck of a month for both People Plus and the Bru nswick Area Teen Center program as we staged not one, but two, very well attended and well supported annual fundraisers.

With May first finally here, I’m so glad for the warmer weather and the chance to look back in appreciative wonderment at the level of participation and support that the businesses and individuals in the towns of Brunswick, Topsham and Harpswell give to nonprofits.

The 13th annual Music in April gala dinner for People Plus, brought in nearly $45,000 to fund the seniors of our community as we support them in a healthy and active lifestyle keeping their minds and bodies fit, staving off depression, improving nutrition, and serving the home-bound population.

Over 24 local businesses along with 24 area restaurants and 300 donated auction items came together with 225 individuals to create this amazing fundraising experience! It was fun, energetic, and best of all people were able to give back a little or a lot in support of our seniors.

And then just two weeks later, we had nearly 1,000 people come to Downtown to support our local area teenagers at the Gelato Fiasco fundraising scoop-a-thon; raising funds for the Teen Center program which supports primarily, local at-risk youth in grades 6-12.

With business sponsorships and the help of dozens of “celebrity scoopers,” we had individuals from all areas of our community participating; including area teachers, Brunswick town counselors, Bowdoin College athletes, nonprofit leaders, local musicians, a face painter, unicyclists, jugglers, a balloon guy and more. Twelve hours at Gelato Fiasco along with 37 pictures of Tom Farrell wearing a balloon hat, and we are hopeful to meet last year’s income of about $5,000!

These fundraisers are so important to the success of both People Plus and the teen program (run by People Plus). Combined with funding from the towns of Brunswick and Harpswell, the United Way, Spectrum Generations, various grants and individual donors, we will break even on our budget this year.

For this I could not be more thankful. It takes a lot of individual supporters to maintain both the Union Street School building and the quality programming offered here at People Plus and the Teen Center Program.

I am incredibly appreciative and often in awe of how amazing our community is, as it consistently comes together to support seniors, teenagers, and everyone in between.

Stacy V. Frizzle Executive Director, People Plus Brunswick