AROUND THE STATE

People’s United gives grants to service organizations

Bernice Wood receives the Rotarian of the Year Award from Ken Farley, outgoing president of the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club. Courtesy photo

Willian Lunt III

Molly O’Brien of Waterboro receives the York County Youth Spirit of Service Award from Brad Paige, president of Kennebunk Savings. Courtesy photo

The People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, has awarded grants to organizations across Maine.

The foundation gave $10,000 to Goodwill Industries of Northern New England in Portland. Goodwill Industries offers job training and placement initiatives, career counseling, housing opportunities and other support services to individuals with disabilities and those who face barriers to achieving independence.

It awarded a $9,000 grant to Genesis Community Loan Fund in Damariscotta. Founded in 1991, the organization serves as a link between affordable housing resources and economic and social opportunities for underserved people and communities.

It awarded $4,000 to Maine Housing and Building Materials Exchange in Lisbon. The grant will support the building materials supply fund, which provides new and reusable building materials to low-income families at an affordable price.

FALMOUTH

Citizen of the Year saluted for decades of town service

Falmouth town officials recently recognized William “Bill” Lunt III as Citizen of the Year.

Lunt was recognized for his years of service on numerous committees and boards including the town’s Ad Hoc Zoning Committee, the Board of Assessment Review, Board of Zoning Appeals and the Charter Commission. He also served on the Falmouth Economic Improvement Committee, and was a volunteer for the Falmouth Fire Department for more than 50 years.

Lunt also served on the town’s Planning Board, the Town Council for 12 years and was a trustee for the Portland Water District.

WATERBORO

Award recognizes teen’s impact in community

United Way of York County, in partnership with Kennebunk Savings, recently recognized Molly O’Brien with the 2015 York County Youth Spirit of Service Award for commitment to service and impact in her community.

O’Brien, of Waterboro, attends Massabesic High School and volunteers for Camp Laughing Loon and the York County Shelter. She was recognized for the hours she spent assisting with bean suppers, holiday craft fairs, bottle drives and Veterans Day observances. She is also a member of the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps and Leo’s Club, an offshoot of the Massabesic Lions Club.

The Kennebunk Savings Foundation awarded $250 to Molly’s charity of choice, the Wounded Warrior Foundation. In lieu of a $250 Kennebunk Savings Visa gift card for educational expenses, she selected the Waterboro Food Pantry as a second charity of choice.

BIDDEFORD/SACO

Rotary honors member as its supportive MVP

The Biddeford Saco Rotary Club honored Bernice Wood of Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution as its Rotarian of the Year.

Wood, who serves as club secretary, was recognized for her “distinguished service, loyalty and devotion to the ideals of Rotary.”

“The Rotarian of the Year Award is given to the one person who if absent from the club for the entire year would have negatively impacted our year the most,” outgoing President Ken Farley said in a news release. “This was not a hard decision for me.… She is truly an MVP for the Rotary year 2014-2015.”

Wood has participated in numerous fundraisers and service projects.

SANFORD

Maine high school graduates receive bank scholarships

SIS Bank recently awarded $25,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors in Maine and New Hampshire.

The following students from Sanford, Wells, York, Bonny Eagle, Massabesic, Noble and Portsmouth high schools were chosen by each school’s administration on the basis of academic achievement and financial need.

Scholarships went to the following students:

Sanford High School – Abigail Cushing, Vanessa Caron, Scott Lemay, Looey Teung and Savanna Carlson.

Wells High School – Brian Marrero and Sarah Trent.

York High School – Samantha Fagone, Hannah Armstrong and Mark Kalnan.

Bonny Eagle High School: Joel Kessler, Edward Maxwell and James Maxwell.

Massabesic High School: Remington Gaetjens, Haley Bantz and Audrey Robidoux.

Noble High School: Torielle Connor and Christopher Ziadeh.

Kelsey Lizotte-Johnson of Sanford High School was named the 2015 recipient of the Duprez Family Memorial Scholarship, given in honor of former SIS Bank employee Christine Duprez. Kelsey will attend York County Community College.

ROCKLAND

Downtown boutique wins sidewalk garden contest

Several downtown businesses were recognized for participating in the first Downtown Window Box & Sidewalk Garden contest, sponsored by the Design Committee of Rockland Main Street Inc.

The first-place winner was fourTWELVE, at 412 Main St. Honorable mention recognition went to By George Jewelry at 376 Main St.

Four garden supply businesses: Green Thumb, Plants Unlimited, Lowe’s and Home Depot offered discounts on flowers and plants to participating downtown businesses. The contest was the idea of Linda Richardson, a Realtor and volunteer.

WATERVILLE

Stuff the Bus with supplies for schoolchildren in need

The Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, the United Way of Mid-Maine and the Alfond Youth Center are partnering to collect school supplies for children in need.

The team will hold a Stuff the Bus event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 30 at the Skowhegan Wal-Mart. The public is invited to bring donated items to help fill the bus with essentials for starting the new school year.

The goal is to fill 500 backpacks with the donated items, which will then be distributed to children throughout Kennebec and Somerset counties.

The deadline for donations is July 31. For more information, call 859-1577 or 873-0686.

KENNEBUNK

Bank of Maine customers get into museum for free

The Bank of Maine has joined with the Brick Store Museum at 117 Main St. to invite its customers to visit the museum for free during the month of July.

Bank customers visiting the museum need to show their credit or debit card to receive free admission.

CAMDEN

Pints for Paws raises almost $3,000 to help animals

Loyal Biscuit Co. recently teamed up with The Lobster Pound/Andy’s Brew Pub and PenBay Veterinary Associates to host the 13th Pints for Paws fundraiser to benefit the P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center.

The event raised $2,872 for P.A.W.S. Since 2011, Loyal Biscuit has raised $24,801 to help the area’s animals.

YORK

Library’s executive director announces he will retire

Robert Waldman, executive director of the York Public Library, has notified the board of trustees that he will retire in 2016.

Waldman became director of the library in 2001 and has always been passionately committed to its mission.

In the next few weeks, the trustees will set up a search committee made up of stakeholders and representatives from the town, community and schools to begin the process of replacing Waldman.

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