Bar Harbor Bank & Trust recently presented donations totaling more than $11,000 to four Northern New England nonprofit organizations from its employee-driven charitable giving program, Casual for A Cause. The recipients of the contributions collected in Q3 2021 are: Easterseals New Hampshire, Safe Harbor Recovery Home for Women and Children, Veterans Inc., and Vermont Institute for Natural Science.
“These donations are a testament to our employees’ commitment to and investment in the health and vitality of the communities where we live and work,” said Jack Frost, VP Director of Community Giving at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “The four organizations selected this quarter provide important services to our friends and neighbors, and we are honored to support their efforts.”
Casual for a Cause gives Bank employees the opportunity to dress casually on Fridays in exchange for a bi-weekly payroll deduction made to a pool of funds collected during each quarter. The employees then vote on the nonprofits to receive their contributions. Employees have donated more than $139,000 to dozens of organizations across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont since the program launched in 2018.
Recipients of Q3 2021 Donations
Maine
Safe Harbor Recovery Home for Women and Children is the only certified recovery residence in Washington County. The house provides wraparound support for women in all stages of recovery and is one of the only houses in Maine where they can live with their children. Safe Harbor is a collaborative effort between Healthy Acadia, Downeast Community Partners, Community Caring Collaborative, and Aroostook Mental Health Center (AMHC). Learn more at www.healthyacadia.org/spr-shrhfw.
“Through this donation, Safe Harbor will be able to continue supporting women and children by providing a safe and supportive home with resources to help women navigate challenges and decrease barriers to reach their goals,” said Katie Sell, Safe Harbor Home Manager. “This donation will make a difference, and we are extremely grateful!”
Veterans Inc. is the largest provider of support services to veterans and their families in New England. Their mission is to be there for veterans and their families in their time of need, with the ultimate goal to end homelessness among veterans. They provide holistic supportive services, including housing, employment and training, case management, food security, health and wellness, family support programs, women, and child care services. Learn more at www.veteransinc.org.
“Thanks to your decision to donate to Veterans Inc., you have made a tremendous impact on the lives of veterans and their families,” said Vincent J. Perrone, President & CEO of Veterans Inc. “With your support, we can continue to provide the necessary comprehensive services that our clients in Maine deserve. Your willingness to help displaced veterans in our community makes a huge difference.”
New Hampshire
Easterseals New Hampshire’s Military and Veteran Services program, in partnership with Veterans Count, responds rapidly, efficiently and effectively to the unmet needs of service members, veterans, and their families to ensure that they can thrive in their communities. They offer support and resources including counseling, emergency assistance, substance use treatment, housing stabilization, employment, and transportation. Learn more at www.easterseals.com/nh/our-programs/military-veterans-services.
“Thank you so much for this incredible donation which can provide critical support such as housing deposits to avert homelessness, car repairs so veterans can get to work/school/doctor appointments, or tools and uniforms for a job,” said Amie E. Marzen, Communications Consultant/Events Coordinator for Easterseals. “Whether filling a gas tank of a veteran or giving a military family an overnight stay in a hotel so they have someplace warm to sleep until permanent housing is secured, your donation will be thoughtfully used to support our military members and their families.”
Vermont
Vermont Institute for Natural Science (VINS) works to motivate individuals and communities to care for the environment through education, research, and avian wildlife rehabilitation. It offers relevant environmental education programs for adults, families, and school children; partner with leading conservation organizations to promote environmental science field research; and operate New England’s premier avian wildlife rehabilitation clinic at the Nature Center. Learn more at www.vinsweb.org.
“The generosity from the employees at the Bar Harbor Bank & Trust makes it possible to have several children participate in our Nature Camp program next year,” said Mary Davidson Graham, Assistant Director at VINS. “Our goals are to nurture appreciation and curiosity about nature, as well as to encourage each camper’s sense of self-worth and belief that they can be a force of change in their world.”
Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating over 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine and has more than $3.6 billion in assets. As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiaries Bar Harbor Trust Services and Charter Trust Company. For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit www.barharbor.bank or call 888-853-7100. Member FDIC.
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Photos attached (note: we were unable to get a photo for Veterans Inc.)
Photos captions:
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (BHBT) presents a donation from the Bank’s Casual for a Cause program to Easterseals of New Hampshire. Pictured from left to right: Charles Seugling, Senior Vice President and Regional Market Manager at BHBT; Joe Emmons, Chief Development officer at Easterseals; and Misty DeRochemont, Branch Relationship Manager at BHBT.
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (BHBT) presents a donation from the Bank’s Casual for a Cause program to Safe Harbor Recovery Home for Women and Children. Pictured from left to right: Rose Bowker, Customer Service Representative at BHBT; Susan Albee, Assistant Vice President and Branch Relationship Manager at BHBT; Lynn Huffman, Personal Banker at BHBT; and Katie Sell, Safe Harbor Home Manager.
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (BHBT) presents a donation from the Bank’s Casual for a Cause program to Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS). Pictured from left to right: Jared Petrizzi, Financial Consultant at Bar Harbor Financial Services; Teri Minelli, VP and Mortgage Loan Originator at BHBT; Alison Gaffney, Assistant Vice President and Branch Relationship Manager at BHBT; Terri Raymond, Senior Vice President and Regional Market Manager at BHBT; Mary Davidson Graham, Assistant Director at VINS; and Sarah Strew, Lead of VINS’s Nature Camp & Adult Programs.
