Support our Great Dads Campaign!

This Father’s Day season, Maine Boys to Men is launching our Great Dads campaign — honoring the dads and dad-like figures who help young people feel cared for, encouraged, and less alone.

While not everyone has (or had) a great dad, many of us can name someone who showed up for us in meaningful ways: Uncles, grandfathers, older brothers, coaches, mentors, teachers, neighbors, etc. Someone who modeled care, guidance, accountability, or kindness when we needed it.

No matter what kind of dad you had (or you are), we know that supporting men means ultimately supporting a healthier ecosystem of care for all. We want to honor the men in your life as we nourish our collective care of community, and so we hope you will join us in raising vital funds for Maine Boys to Men this June in honor of the dad or dad-like figure in your life!

Along with your donation, we welcome all who want to share a short “dad story” and photo, as we'd like to spotlight some of these dads and dad-like figures to our broader community.

If you are not in a position to give, we would still love to receive your story of the person who has “fathered” you in some positive way. We also ask that you share this fundraiser with your community and your networks. Thank you in advance for your donation, support, and community care!

Dad Stories From Our Community

This campaign was initiated by our dear friend and ally, Deb Bicknell, whose dad passed away unexpectedly from a stroke in 2024.

Read more about Deb's memory of her father, Brian, below:

“I was really blessed to have a dad who just seemed born for the job. He knew how to teach us hard lessons with temperance, could sit with heartbreak and offer genuine comfort, had an ever present twinkle in his eye and knew how to lighten the mood with his dry and corny dad-like humor. He let his daughters pepper his hair with a multitude of colorful plastic barrettes when we were little, was a Scottish/English storyteller with a booming voice, made us do lots of Maine dad chores like chop wood and dig clams and somehow made it seem fun, and was a coach and a mentor in oh so many many ways. He was not a flawless guy (though he begged to differ!) but he was an epic dad with a big heart for his friends, family and community. We miss you every day dad!"



~ Deb Bicknell

MBTM's Program Director, Sarah Brajtbord Fahey shares about her dad, Dan:

"My dad has always shown his love through his steady, consistent presence in my life. One piece of wisdom my dad shared with me when I was in high school still rings loudly in my head, particularly when it comes to my work at MBTM. When I asked him if he ever gets nervous about being a doctor and literally having someone’s life in his hands, he humbly said,

'Of course I do, Sarah. All the time. And, I trust in what I know. But just as much as I trust what I know, I also know what I don’t know, and that’s even more important. Trust what you know. Know what you don’t know. And be brave and smart enough to ask for help.'

Dad, thank you for that piece of wisdom (and countless others!), for your unwavering commitment of love and generosity, and for the incredible gift of watching you be the sweetest, silliest, most joyful grandfather to Isaac. I love you!"

~ Sarah Brajtbord Fahey

Thank you for your support.



With gratitude,

The Maine Boys to Men Team