Welcome to the June 2018
Island Connector!
We share our monthly newsletter to make the most of our connections in the community!
The purpose of the Island Connector is to share our good work and help those who can benefit from our services or who may wish to volunteer and serve our organization for our beloved community. Neighbors Helping Neighbors is what Island Connections is all about and has been for over 20 years.
If you have a family member or know of a neighbor that could benefit from our
free
transportation services, please have them call us at 288-4457.
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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 MONTHS' ISSUE
- Island Connector Message from the Executive Director
- Maine Community Foundation Grant Award
- Friendly reminder to our volunteers
- Neighbor Ride Eligibility
- The Passing of a good friend of Island Connections
- Island Connections Update
- Calendar of Events for 2018
- IC Annual Popover AND Volunteer of the Year Recipient
- 3rd Annual Driving for Rides Golf Tournament
- Gareth Howell- at Jackson Laboratory - Longest Day efforts for the Alzheimer's Association
- Age By Design in collaboration with the Jesup Memorial Library, YWCA MDI AND MDI YMCA
- Monthly Giving Program
- On-Line Volunteer Application
- Volunteers - Our heart and Soul
- NEW - Yummy recipes from our volunteers and friends
- Volunteer Driver Reward Program
- Neighbor & Volunteers of the Month
- Healthy Acadia - Neighbor 4 Neighbor Application
- Events for Seniors
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PLEASE BE SURE TO READ THE SECTION OF THE JACKSON LABORATORY'S EFFORTS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION.
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Message from the Executive Director
With nearly half the year gone, my head is spinning in disbelief. Each year seems to go by faster and faster. Am I too busy? Am I doing too much? Well, at the beginning of this year, I finally started to pay attention to the fact that I need to do what makes me happy not only in my personal life but in my work life as well. I'm learning to do the things that matter most. Life is truly too short and we should enjoy as much of it as possible.
Having said that, I'm both
extremely happy
and a bit sad at the same time because 2 people are going to be doing a lot of that in the near future. Amy Roebuck, our Office/Events Manager, is following her husband, Craig into retirement. Craig is retiring from his position as Captain with JetBlue after 10 years of service. Craig has been a wonderful volunteer driver for Island Connections as well as provided us with round-trip JetBlue tickets for our golf tournament's silent auctions. We thank him so much for his volunteer time and his donation of tickets. We wish him all the best in his retirement.
As for Amy, she has done an incredible job with volunteer functions, fundraising events and her bookkeeping responsibilities in the time that she has been with Island Connections. We can't thank her enough for her hard work and dedication to the organization. Amy's last day is in the coming weeks. She will be missed but she's promised that she will volunteer as a driver in the future.
Next month, Amy and Craig will venture out into the tundra of Alaska for a month long trip. Prior to this trip and just after Craig's last flight on Monday, May 28th , they took in a Red Sox game with their son, Caleb. Amy and Craig be sure to smell a lot of roses! We wish them a fantastic trip and look forward to hearing all about it!
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Maine Community Foundation Grant Award
Island Connections is pleased to announce the receipt of a generous grant award in the amount of $ 5,000.00 from the Maine Community Foundation for support of our 3 year Strategic Plan which will help to strengthen the organization to continue providing existing services, volunteer recruitment and look at opportunities for expansion in the future.
On behalf of the neighbors we serve, our board and staff, we thank the Maine Community Foundation for their belief in and support of Island Connections.
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Friendly Reminder to Our Volunteers
Please know that your time and privacy are very important to us at Island Connections. We try to adhere to your time constraints and don't give out your telephone numbers to our neighbors for good reason. We want to be sure that our neighbors are respecting our process of providing rides to them. What we don't want to have happen is that the neighbors are calling you directly for rides and not going through Island Connections. This not only disrupts our scheduling process and muddles our ride counts, but it also opens you up to our neighbors calling you for any number of reasons and, as a result you may not feel comfortable doing what they ask, but may end up doing the ride/task out of guilt rather than refuse them. It’s not to say that we don’t want to encourage good relationships between our neighbors and volunteers but believe that there is a line to be drawn so that you aren’t overburdened. We don’t want to hinder the organic friendships and relationships being created, we just want to be sure that you are always comfortable with the relationship.
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Who is eligible for Island Connections
Free
Transportation Services?
For over twenty years Island Connections has been providing free transportation for seniors and people with disabilities. We would like to ensure that all of our island community members are aware of our ride eligibility policy. We provide rides to seniors 70+, with no questions asked, as well as to both people with temporary AND permanent disabilities. To clarify, this means that if you are temporarily restricted or temporarily disabled to drive due to a medical reason determined by a physician and are under the age of 70, you are eligible for free transportation services with Island Connections. We simply ask you to provide a doctor’s note for our records to support your medical condition. If you are determined to be permanently disabled, under the age of 70 and can provide a benefits statement from the Social Security Administration, you are eligible for free transportation as well. Please share this information with your family, friends and neighbors so that they become fully aware of our ride policy. Thank you.
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Deb Nale
The Staff and Board of Island Connections was so sad to hear of the passing of Deb Nale, who was an amazing and wonderful volunteer who did so much for the organization. The link "Deb Nale Celebration of Life" brings you to her obituary and more information about the Celebration of Life.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and close friends. Deb will be very missed by so many.
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Island Connections Update - Increase in Island Connections Neighbors and Ride Demands
Our volunteers have once again answered the call for transportation needs for the month of May. Once again, May was a very busy month for our neighbors and volunteer drivers. We added 4 new neighbors needing ride services and completed
402
rides. This is yet another milestone increase in ride requests fulfilled for 2018. Since the beginning of 2018, we have added 27 new neighbors in total. While this is great news, in comparison, we have
only
added 3 new drivers. Our Volunteer Committee is working to plan Volunteer Recruitment events but in the meantime would like to ask our best resource, our volunteer drivers to help spread the word about the amazing work YOU do for our island neighbors and how they can help to by volunteering some of their time to do the same.
As many know, it's actually very easy to help us. We have 720 living hours in a month and by donating 1 hour of time, a neighbor can be transported to and from an in town medical appointment. Please share this newsletter with your friends or family members who
who want to volunteer for Island Connections can click on the I want to Volunteer link below or have them call us at 288-4457. Thank you.
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ISLAND CONNECTIONS' ANNUAL POPOVER EVENT RECAP!
It turned out to be a wonderful day to spend at the Jordan Pond House with our friends, neighbors and volunteers.
On May 14, 2018 at the 2018
Spring
Popover Event
at the Jordan Pond House, Island Connections announced Mary Smith as the recipient of the David P. Evans Memorial Award to the outstanding
Island Connections
Volunteer of the Year. Mary joins a wonderful group of volunteers who have been added to the list and been honored as our “best of the best”! Island Connections volunteers and most notably our volunteer drivers, embody the essence of
Island Connections’
service to our neighbors. They are the ones making the true “connections” that our neighbors appreciate for their transportation needs to important medical appointments and procedures, to market for groceries, or just out on personal business. Our volunteers also nurture the relationships that demonstrate the kind of care and compassion that make this island a better place to live. Every single drive by our volunteers - often or occasionally, around town or across MDI or as far as Bangor, many or a few - makes the contribution to helping seniors and people with disabilities live independently in their homes. Mary is proof that you can make a great difference in your own community by driving your neighbors to their needed appointments with a smile, friendly conversation and by having a real commitment to the overall mission of
Island Connections.
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Many thanks to the Jordan Pond House and their staff for another wonderful event!
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Island Connections
3rd Annual Driving for Rides Golf Tournament
Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at Kebo Valley Golf Club
The rain date turned out to be a great day! The sun was shining and the teams enjoyed a great day of golf.
Congratulations to Wyman Tapley, Jay Carroll, Mike Harkins and Jimi Lahaye - Winners Overall Gross
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We want to thank
ALL
of our amazing sponsors, volunteers, staff and the folks at Kebo Valley Golf Club for a truly wonderful event. We couldn't have done it without you.
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Island Connections
2018 Calendar of Events
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Print the Park Fundraiser at ArtWaves in Town Hill
Friday, June 29
from 6-8 p.m.
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Island Connections is sponsoring a Print the Park Fundraiser at ArtWaves
June 29 from 6-8 PM
$25 per person
Class description:
Spend the evening creating a series of Monochromatic Mono prints. This is a simple process that gives striking results on your first try. Our step by step instructions, demonstrations, tools, inks and assorted papers will have you pulling prints and ready to try this one at home! Take home a folder full of original prints, cards and select one to mat for framing!
Island Connections will provide food & drinks and will receive 75% of proceeds
ArtWaves will provide materials and the instructor and will receive 25% of proceeds
.
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ANNUAL
DINE-AROUND DAY
FUNDRAISER
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Island Connections' Annual Dine-Around Day is scheduled for Saturday, July 21st at many local island wide restaurants. This is our longstanding and beloved fundraiser where local restaurants help to promote and raise awareness and funds for Island Connections. The full list of restaurants will be published in the MDIslander on Friday, July 13th as well as on Facebook and our website.
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Age By Design
June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. In recognition, there will be a special information fair as part of Age by Design on Sat., June 16 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Age By Design is a series of programs and community discussions co-sponsored by the
Jesup
,
Island Connections
the
YWCA Mount Desert Island
and the
Mount Desert Island YMCA
that explores various facets of life for those 50 and older on Mount Desert Island. There will be 10 information stations set up around the library where you can learn ways to love your brain and reduce your risk of cognitive decline. There also will be representatives from all four Age By Design cosponsors as well as Peter Sullivan, the executive director of
Birch Bay Retirement Village
. The stations are:
Break a Sweat (exercising) with Mark Rice-Schoon, Senior Director of Aquatics and Healthy Living at the MDI YMCA, and information from fitness instructor Susan Sassaman
Hit the Books (reading and education)
Butt Out (quitting smoking)
Follow Your Heart (decreasing your risk of heart problems)
Heads Up! (decreasing your risk of head injury)
Fuel Up Right (eating healthy)
Catch Some Zzz's (getting enough sleep)
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Buddy Up (staying social) with Keith Davis, volunteer and musician in the Big Moose Band
Stump Yourself (challenging your mind)
For more information on this event or the Age By Design series, contact Ann Thomas at
[email protected]
or 207-288-4245.
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Champion Connectors Circle Monthly Giving Program
As part of this year’s annual appeal, we are excited to be premiering an online giving option that offers you the ability to support Island Connections on a monthly basis. We invite you to seriously consider our
Champion Connector’s Circle Program
for the following reasons. Monthly giving makes it easier for you to plan ahead for your annual giving, and alleviates the potential challenge of a large outlay of funds at the end of the year.
Your donation can be easily and securely debited from a credit card or bank account of your choosing.
You can set it up to debit your account automatically each month, and not have to think about it again. And it helps Island Connections by providing a consistent and steady cash flow stream throughout the year. All you need to do is click on the link below and simply follow the instructions for the monthly giving program. It’s that easy! Please note that one time gifts can be made on this giving link as well.
If you require any additional assistance or have any questions, please call Doreen at 207-288-4457.
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VOLUNTEERS - THE HEART AND SOUL OF
ISLAND CONNECTIONS
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
672! That's how many hours are in each month. Can you lend 1 of those hours to Island Connections? A BIG part of the sustainability of Island Connections providing free transportation is to be sure we have enough volunteers at all times to fulfill the demand of our neighbors' transportation needs. It's crucial that as we add neighbors, we are doing so with volunteers as well.
We are looking to recruit NEW volunteers! Can you help? Do you know someone that has some time to take a neighbor to a doctor's appointment or to the grocery store in your own town or to appointments off island? The beauty of our unique services is that the time commitment is completely up to each volunteer to pick the rides they wish to fulfill whether it be a one way drop off to a doctor's appointment or round trip drive. The volunteer is in full charge of their time. We strive to always respect that our volunteer's time is extremely valuable.
Our on-line system, Ride Scheduler, is a very user friendly system that volunteers have access to 24/7 to choose the rides that they wish to fulfill. Training is provided by a staff member on being an Island Connections volunteer, our processes and how to navigate Ride Scheduler as well as become a driver of our wheelchair accessible van if you choose.
Please share the following contact information with those who might be interested. Call Doreen Willett at 288-4457 or e-mail [email protected]
OR y
ou can easily sign up by clicking the Apply to Volunteer button below.
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WHY VOLUNTEER?
- It brings people together. You get to meet new people and make new friends.
- It promotes self-growth. You can use your skills and learn new skills.
- You make a difference. Volunteering makes you feel appreciated and needed. It provides an opportunity to give back what has been given to you.
- It strengthens our community and breaks down barriers of fear and misunderstanding.
Thank you for your consideration
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Monthly recipes from our friends, neighbors & volunteers
of Island Connections
This month, our recipe comes from Doreen Willett, our Executive Director. Please send us your recipes to be featured here and shared for all to enjoy! Email to [email protected]!
Green Beans with Red Pepper Slices and Grainy Mustard
This is the easiest and most flavorful side dish that I make when making a roast of any kind. Try it, you'll definitely like it!
1/2 - 1 lb fresh green beans - snipped on both ends
1 large red pepper sliced lengthwise into strips 1/4 inch wide
1/4 Stick of butter,melted
1 or 2 tbs. grainy mustard
Steam the green beans and peppers together for about 5 minutes (you want them to both still be crunchy). Melt butter and stir in grainy mustard. Once combined, add green beans and red pepper strips. Toss for 2 minutes and serve. NOTE: You can adjust ALL ingredients according to your taste.
Bon Apetit!
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DO YOU KNOW ABOUT OUR VOLUNTEER DRIVER REWARDS PROGRAM?
Back in 2011, when gas prices were climbing higher than we had seen, Island Connections started a Driver Rewards Program to help our volunteer drivers who were working hard for our neighbors each day.
The way it works is that points are accumulated for every ride given by a volunteer to a neighbor. The point system is based on the number of rides given and destination of the rides. Each month Amy Manring, our Transportation Coordinator, reviews all of the data to create a list of those volunteers who have accumulated 30 points at which time we mail each of them a $ 25.00 gift card from Irving/Circle K. Their points revert back to 0 and they begin accumulating all over again. It's our way of giving back to those who give of themselves, their time and their resources. All of our active volunteers are eligible to accumulate points by driving for Island Connections.
Island Connections Driver Rewards Program is made possible through grant funding provided by the Hattie A. and Fred C. Lynam Trust Fund through Bar Harbor Bank and Trust Services.
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We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful neighbors be served by our outstanding volunteers who give of their time and resources. I wish to lend a reminder that YOU, as an Island Connections volunteer, may be the only person that a neighbor may come in contact with that day, that week or otherwise. Not only is the ride they are receiving important but the social aspect of the time spent together goes quite a long way.
Please keep in mind that they look forward to their time with you and by nurturing the relationship it can make all the difference to build trust and a real sense of security while in your care. We always want our neighbors to feel safe, secure and confident in your ability to get them where they they need to go while building a lasting friendship.
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To all of our volunteers -
Thank you for supporting our neighbors in every way that you do.
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Neighbor of the Month
The June Neighbor of the Month
is Cecil Sprague a well known and very beloved resident of Bar Harbor. Everyone who has driven Cecil has loved spending time with him and truly enjoys his company. Cecil has been a neighbor of Island Connections for nearly a year now and we love providing him ride services. Keep them smiling, Cecil!
Volunteers of the Month
Our June Volunteer of the Month
is Dianne Lytle who returned from her winter escape and began driving immediately. As a matter of fact, she took on 16 rides in no time at all. Dianne's dedication to our neighbors is the embodiment of what it takes to be an Island Connections volunteer. Dianne, thank you for ALL you do!
June's Urgent Driver of the Month
is David Parker for providing rides for a neighbor up to the Lafayette Center in Brewer on a number of occasions in a short period of time. Our neighbor and the staff at Island Connections are so grateful for his loyalty and service to our mission. It is so greatly appreciated.
Special Mention Volunteers
are Jim Grover, Deb Fisher, Ned Johnston, Roger Bremekamp and Ellen Brawley. Between these 4 drivers they did 50 rides in May from driving neighbors to dialysis, to local doctor's appointments, delivered meals, drove a volunteer to the SPCA, to St. Joseph's Hospital in Brewer, to and from the Strauss Senior Day Program at Birchbay Village, chiropractic appointments, dental appointments, eye appointments, grocery shopping, exercise programs to the drug store to pick up medicine and even hair appointments. All rides filled with care. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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All of our dedicated volunteers do so much for our neighbors on a daily basis. The critical rides they fill are helping our neighbors age in place for as long as possible.
Currently, we have close to 100 volunteer drivers but who are not always active at the same time. As time goes on, even our drivers need to step away from the wheel as they age and some even become neighbors themselves. It is crucial to the sustainability of Island Connections to replace drivers as they move on in life. Can we ask that you please take the time to think about someone you know you could tell about Island Connections and encourage them to consider becoming a volunteer?
We appreciate your help to sustain this important work.
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The neighbor4neighbor Fund Now Accepting Applications
What: neighbor4neighbor Fund, a program of Healthy Acadia, is now accepting applications from seniors for grants up to $500 for unexpected expenses
Where: Hancock and Washington counties
Dates and Time: Applications accepted year round. Apply online:
The neighbor4neighbor Fund, a program of Healthy Acadia, is now accepting applications from seniors who are facing any one of many life crises which arise unexpectedly and for which a senior may not have adequate funds. The neighbor4neighbor Fund’s mini-grants, capped at $500.00, cover such things as new eyeglasses, dentures, medical equipment, household repairs, or other one-time challenges which can arise and undermine a senior’s ability to live independently and have a high quality of life.
The philosophy of the neighbor4neighbor Fund is that small grants can make a big difference in a senior’s life and the fund works to provide this kind of financial assistance. The goal is to help people to be healthy, stay in their homes and be able to function independently. Many seniors are struggling just to meet their most basic needs, so unexpected expenses are not part of their budget.
The neighbor4neighbor Fund is open to seniors in both Hancock and Washington Counties and is administered by Healthy Acadia.
Please contact Nina Zeldin at 667-7171 or
[email protected] to receive an application or learn more about neighbor4neighbor. Applications can also be downloaded by clicking the link below:
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"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." - Carl Bard
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HELPFUL INFORMATION:
FROM THE BAR HARBOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
Representatives of the Fire Department share the following advice: we should all have carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on each level of our homes; all detectors have expiration dates-so check and replace if needed; and of course replace batteries routinely. If a senior is having difficulty installing a detector or changing a detector battery, the Fire Department graciously offers to come and do that for you. They request you call them on the non urgent line to request this and they will plan a time to come and assist you.
FROM
THE BAR HARBOR POLICE DEPARTMENT
Members of the Police Dept spoke at a gathering last year to advise all citizens to report any suspicious or unsafe items to them. They ask if you accidentally dial 911 that you stay on the line—this negates the need for them to follow up on a hang up call. The Police note that if you have a problem they might assist with –such as needing sand for icy steps that you are not able to go obtain yourself---please call them on the non urgent line and they will make plans to help you.
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Local Transportation for Seniors
BAR HARBOR SHUTTLE
(year round service operated by Downeast Transportation)
This bus operates on Tuesdays
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We would love your feedback on how we're doing in our community. Please feel free to call or e-mail with your comments.
If you are in need of information about Island Connections or in need of a ride, please contact our Transportation Coordinator, Amy Manring.
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday
9:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Telephone: 207-288-4457
Doreen Willett
Executive Director
Island Connections
www.islconnections.org
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
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Have you given any thought to
Planned Giving?
Perhaps you would like to speak to us about leaving a bequest to Island Connections but didn't know how to get started.
Contact Doreen Willett to start the conversation about creating a sustainable giving plan. We thank you for your consideration.
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Island Connections * 93 Cottage Street, Suite 101, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
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