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Happy New Year from the Island Connections staff and board of directors!
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Welcome to the January 2019
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
- Neighbor Ride Eligibility
- Thank you
- Friendly reminder to our volunteers
- Volunteers - Our heart and Soul
- MDI Coffee House - January 8th & 22nd
- 3rd Annual Chowder Chowdown for Rides
- Monthly Giving Program
- On-Line Volunteer Application
- 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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Island Connections offices will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2019 in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
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Message from the Executive Director
I can't begin to tell you how many times people thank us for all that Island Connections does for our Island neighbors. While I'm sure to acknowledge their gratitude I remind them that we're not doing the real "work" but merely facilitating what our
amazing volunteers
pull off every day to get our neighbors to their needed medical appointments, treatments, grocery shopping, banking runs, exercise, hair appointments and more.
What some people may not know and wonder is how your financial support is used so that Island Connections can meet our mission. All of our donations, whether individual, business or foundation support for our annual appeal or events are used for our free transportation and meal delivery program. This support is the bread and butter for the operations of the organization. Our annual expenses include all overhead such as rent, office supplies, telephone and technology, office equipment, operation and maintenance and insurance for our wheelchair accessible van, bookkeeping and accounting services, event expenses, staff salaries and training opportunities, volunteer recruitment through community outreach and recognition expenses. Without all of this support, it wouldn't be possible for us to do what we do. This past year we successfully met our mission by the following:
Total rides - 4,604
Extra Stops - 3,353 (stops added to original ride)
New Neighbors - 64
New Volunteer Drivers - 19
Total Volunteer Hours - 3,173.25
Estimated Miles Driven - 67,401.11
This was a great year for Island Connections neighbors, volunteers, staff, board and anyone connected to the organization. It's all about connections and we hope that you stay connected to us and this amazing community. Happy, healthy and safe New Year!
All the best,
Doreen Willett
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Who is eligible for Island Connections
Free
Transportation Services?
For over twenty two years, Island Connections has been providing free transportation for seniors and people with disabilities on Mount Desert Island and the surrounding islands. 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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I would like to give my sincere thanks to all of the dedicated supporters of Island Connections whether it be for your volunteer hours as a driver, help with events or in the office, financial support or as a board and/or committee. I couldn't sail this ship without all of you. I wish you a very Happy New Year filled with wonderful things to come for you and your loved ones in 2019!
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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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VOLUNTEERS - THE HEART AND SOUL OF
ISLAND CONNECTIONS
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ANOTHER MILESTONE Increase in Island Connections Neighbors and Ride Demands
Our volunteers have done it yet again to respond to the ride demands and completed
352
rides in the month of December. We added 3 new neighbors and 1 new volunteers as well. We have increased our rides from January 1 - December 31st year to year by
974
rides.
Dana's Joy Riding recruitment Program proved to be an excellent recruiting method for Island Connections. Future dates will be announced. Can we ask YOU, our volunteer drivers, to help spread the word about the amazing work YOU do for our island neighbors and how they can help too by volunteering some of their time to do the same.
As many know, it's actually very easy to help us and rewarding. 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 . They can merely click on the I wish to apply to Volunteer link below or have them call us at 288-4457 and speak to Dana Mastroianni. Thank you.
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THE CHART BELOW INDICATES THE RIDE DEMAND INCREASE SINCE JANUARY 2015.
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ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING
A VOLUNTEER DRIVER?
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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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THE MDI COFFEE HOUSE IS ON!!!
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Join us for the 2018-2019 season of the MDI Coffee House at the YWCA MDI located at 36 Mount Desert Street
in Bar Harbor from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
.
The MDI Coffee House will running through April on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month with the exception of December & January due to the holiday schedule.
Bring a friend, meet new friends and enjoy some social time!
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3RD ANNUAL CHOWDER CHOWDOWN FOR RIDES
GET READY AND MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL CHOWDER CHOWDOWN FOR RIDES BROUGHT TO YOU BY BAR HARBOR SAVINGS & LOAN!!! WE ARE LOOKING FOR COOKS WHO WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE AMATEUR OR PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES TO COMPETE WITH THEIR TRADITIONAL, NON-TRADITIONAL OR VEGETERIAN/VEGAN RECIPES. FOR MORE INFOMRATION TO COMPETE, CONTACT DANA MASTROIANNI AT 288-4457 OR VIA EMAIL AT [email protected].
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Champion Connectors Circle Monthly Giving Program
As part of our annual appeal, we are able to offer 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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Monthly recipes from our friends, neighbors & volunteers
of Island Connections
This month, our recipe comes from the Delish Dinners on line site. Please send us your recipes to be featured here and shared for all to enjoy! Email to [email protected]!
YIELDS: 20
PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 5 MINS
COOK TIME: 0 HOURS 10 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 0 HOURS 15 MINS
INGREDIENTS
9 oz. fresh cheese tortellini
1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1 tbsp., divided
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
8 oz. mozzarella balls (such as Ciliegine)
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
4 oz. sliced salami
1/4 lb. roasted red peppers, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 bunch fresh basil
14 oz. artichoke hearts, drained and chopped into bite-sized pieces
1/4 lb. green olives
DIRECTIONS
In a large pot of boiling water, add 1 tbsp. olive oil. Cook tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain and transfer to large bowl.
Season cooked tortellini with salt and pepper. Add balsamic vinegar and 1/4 cup olive oil and mix to combine. Set aside.
Marinate mozzarella: In a small bowl, add mozzarella balls, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and remaining 1/4 cup olive oil. Mix to combine and set aside.
Assemble skewers by layering one piece each mozzarella, salami, roasted red pepper, tortellini, basil, artichoke heart, and green olives.
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 January Neighbor of the Month is
Frank Goodwin who has been a neighbor with Island Connections since May 2018. Frank is always so pleasant to talk with and enjoys riding with our volunteers. He is always so positive and cheerful. Frank, we are so happy to be able to help you with your transportation needs.
Volunteers of the Month
The January Volunteer of the Month is
Deb Fisher for the many drives she was able to do for our neighbors on last minute occasions as well as to dialysis over the holidays. Thank you so much Deb!
The Urgent Driver of the Month
is Jim Grover for his many rides and last minute rides and was also able to help out to get 3 of our Maple Lane Apt neighbors to the grocery store when another volunteer was sick over the holidays. Jim - we love you!
Our Special Mention Drivers
are Gary Alley, Ellen Brawley, Mary- Lee Bayne, Roger Bremekamp, Charles Stephenson and Sandra Wilcomb for all of the rides they fulfilled. We so appreciate your dedication!!!
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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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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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