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3rdQuarter 2022
Island Connector
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Celebrating 25 years of Neighbors Helping Neighbors! |
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Our Mission
Island Connections provides free transportation and other services to seniors and people with disabilities from Mount Desert Island and the surrounding islands to enhance their independence and quality of life by utilizing our core group of dedicated volunteers.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
- Message from the Executive Director
- 25 for 25 More Match Campaign
- July 4th Parade
- Flamingo Festival July 9
- Dine-Around Day is back July 16
- 2021 Annual Report
- 2nd Quarter "Ride Wise" by the numbers
- Volunteers Needed
- Connections - The Ripple Effect
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Our Office will be closed:
Monday, July 4 for Independence Day
and
Monday, September 5
for Labor Day
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A message from Sharon Linscott,
Executive Director of Island Connections
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Dear Friends,
Summer is upon us and tourists abound. Recently, a tourist called us asking if we could take them to the top of Cadillac Mountain. If they only truly knew what we do. We are such an integral part of the lives of so many members of our community. It is never just a ride. The connections we make with volunteers and Neighbors are priceless!
We had a blast at our 25th anniversary party on May 25! We will continue to celebrate throughout the year because 25 years is a big deal and deserves to be celebrated.
Through our match campaign I was truly amazed at how many people support Island Connections in so many ways with both time and treasure. Expressing my utmost gratitude just doesn't seem to be enough.
I wish you all a wonderful summer. Stay Cool!
Blessings & Peace,
Sharon
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"25 for 25 More" Match Campaign
In honor of our 25th Anniversary, Island Connections launched its "25 for 25 More" Match Campaign on May 25 with a party on the front lawn of the Bar Harbor Municipal Building. Several generous donors pledged $25,000 in seed funds to be matched dollar for dollar.
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We did it! As of July 1 we met our goal and raised $25,000 in matching funds. Thank you to everyone who gave. We would especially like to thank Bar Harbor Campground, Glenn and Nancy Tucker, Witham Family Hotels Charitable Fund, First National Bank, Acadia Shops, Machias Savings Bank, Jane and Bob Sanderson, Richard Bullock and Carol Woolman, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Lynam Real Estate and Lynam Insurance.
It's not too late to donate to help support our mission. Island Connections is supported mainly by individual donors like YOU! We look forward to the next 25 years of service to our community. Thank you for your continued support.
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LOOK FOR THE RED ISLAND CONNECTIONS VAN IN THE
BAR HARBOR 4TH OF JULY PARADE!
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THEN JOIN US ON SATURDAY, JULY 9 AT THE FLAMINGO FESTIVAL IN SOUTHWEST HARBOR. THE SILVER ISLAND CONNECTIONS VAN WILL BE DECKED OUT IN PINK AT THE PARADE!
GIVE US A SHOUT OUT AS WE PASS BY
TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
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Look for the Island Connections Table Tent at participating restaurants!
Check here for the full list of participating restaurants as it gets closer or look for our ad in the Islander on July 14
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Dine-Around Day is back!
Saturday, July 16
After a two-year hiatus, Island Connections' fundraising event is back!
Eat at a local participating restaurant on July 16 for Breakfast, Lunch and/or Dinner to support your favorite local restaurants and Island Connections at the same time. Participating restaurants will donate either a set amount or a portion of their proceeds that day to Island Connections, providing financial support for our mission of providing free transportation to seniors and people with disabilities.
As of July 1, participating restaurants include: Black Friar Inn, Cafe This Way, Galyn's, Geddy's, Jordan's Restaurant, Lighthouse Inn & Restaurant, Mama DiMatteo's, Peekytoe Provisions and Thurston's Lobster Pound.
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Our 2021 Annual Report is now on our website!
Click here to view our 2021 accomplishments and see how we provide our much needed services to the MDI Community. Our annual report includes:
*President's Annual Message
*Director's Annual Report
*Neighbor's Rides
*Annual Donations
"RIDE WISE" at Island Connections
During the second quarter of 2022 we:
- Completed 1,396 rides
- Added 17 new Neighbors
- Added 11 new Volunteer Drivers
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Island Connections Volunteers
are truly AMAZING!!
As the need rises for transportation services on MDI, Island Connections is driven to meet that need. But we can't do it without the help of the people in our community...our most valuable assets...volunteers!
It is so easy to volunteer with us! Consider this; there are 720 hours in a month. In just one of those hours, one hour a month, you could transport a neighbor to and from an in-town medical appointment or provide a one-way ride to the dialysis center. There are so many ways to help and it is incredibly rewarding!
If you, or someone you know, would like to find out what it means to be a volunteer driver for Island Connections, please call Jeannie Anderson, our Volunteer Coordinator, at 207-288-4457. She is happy to help! Or CLICK HERE to apply online.
Thank you to all who have dedicated time and commitment to Island Connections. We truly appreciate it! Please consider becoming a volunteer, we would love to welcome you to our family!
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THE CONNECTIONS WE MAKE AS VOLUNTEERS |
When we talk to the public about Island Connections and what we do, we talk a lot about the fact that we provide free transportation to seniors and people with disabilities to get them to medical appointments, help with food deliveries, and make sure they can get their grocery shopping done. We tell potential volunteers that it's easy to be an Island Connections driver because the commitment is completely based on their schedule - there is no minimum amount of drives or hours a volunteer is required to provide, and the flexibility is amazing! We tell the public these things because they are all true, but what is even more important to tell everyone is about the CONNECTIONS that are made between us as human beings during these rides. Whether brief or extended, the time that driver and rider are in the vehicle together is a chance for two humans to interact with one another...and there are infinite possibilities as to what can come out of that interaction. The ripple effect is real!
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Contact Island Connections:
(207)288-4457
www.islconnections.org
93 Cottage Street, Suite 101
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Office hours are Monday - Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Sharon Linscott, Executive Director
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Island Connections * 93 Cottage Street, Suite 101, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
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