KINGFIELD – United Way of the Tri-Valley Area recently held its Campaign Celebration and Annual Meeting at The Herbert Grand Hotel and McGregor’s Pub in Kingfield. The annual meeting was sponsored by Poland Spring, Riverbend Property Management and Dead River. Almost 100 people were in attendance celebrating the year’s campaign. United Way is currently at 88% of the goal of $725,000 in cash, grants, goods and services and there is still time to help us get to 100%. All of the funds raised in Franklin and Northern Androscoggin Counties are reinvested right here, benefiting our seniors, children, abuse survivors and so many more. You can make a donation right on-line at www.uwtva.org/give or mail a check to PO Box 126, Farmington, ME.
The evening kicked off with a welcome from Rob McGregor, owner and continued to celebrate the many awards given. United Way benefits greatly from area organizations and individuals. The Gary A. LaGrange Community Impact Award was also presented. For this award, there were 9 nominations and the decision was a difficult one. Shannon Smith, of Wilton was selected to be honored for all her work with the Wilton Blueberry Festival, the Emblem Club, the Farmington Horsemen’s Association, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, and the Farmington Rotary, to name a few.
United Way’s Corporate Champion Circle members were recognized and presented with certificates for their support of United Way and commitment to our community:
Platinum: The Dugout Bar and Grill, Franklin Savings Bank
Gold: County Seat Realty, State Farm Insurance, ReEnergy
Silver: Woodlands, OTIS Federal Credit Union, Full Bloom / First Amendment Soil, Bangor Savings Bank
Community Change Challenge trophies were awarded: Tier I winner was Verso, raising over $3,000 and Tier II winner was Spruce Mountain Elementary School, raising over $1,500. The money raised in the 2019 Community Change Challenge Additional by 21 local businesses totaled $6,915.90, proving once again, that a little bit from many adds up to a BIG difference!
Awards were handed out in line with the ‘Spring into Action’ theme and included:
Master Gardener (businesses that have gone above and beyond in their support of United Way): Barclays, Hannaford, Franklin Community Health Network, LEAP, United Insurance, and Verso
Blossom Award (individuals, businesses newly supporting United Way): Alpha Phi Omega (at UMF service fraternity), Arleen Masselli, Leah Brackett, Maggie Leone, Mary Ellen Simon, The Children’s Center, and The Wood Mill of Maine.
The Green Thumb Award (members of the media that have helped United Way grow): Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog and Anne Sheehan, Sun Media Group.
Mother Nature Award (those who have significantly collaborated with United Way): University of Maine at Farmington, Literacy Volunteers, Farmington Farmers Market, Teacher’s Lounge Mafia, SWARM (Strong Women Advancing Rural Maine), and Western Maine Transportation Services.
Flower Power Award (those who are standout cheerleaders for United Way): Casey Wrigley, Dan Abbatello, Dan and Amy Palmer, Doug DiPasquale, Jennifer Chretien, Kathy Gregory, Patty Byers, Peter Addicott, and Susie Millett
As part of the annual meeting, a new slate of officers was put forward and approved: President: Shaun Riggs, Vice President: Becky Davis-Allen, Treasurer: Chris Hollingsworth, and Secretary: Mathew Fournier. United Way is appreciative of the very active 16-person board that helps to guide, direct, and promote the various activities of United Way.
For more information about United Way, call (207) 778-5048, visit www.uwtva.org, follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/uwtva) or visit the office at 218 Fairbanks Rd. Farmington.
