Sign up for Paperless Billing from Versant Power to Help Keep Mainers Warm! | |
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One year ago, Versant Power launched Power Match, a charitable matching program that provides help with electricity bills for those who do not qualify for traditional assistance programs. Through Versant’s partnership with Penquis, Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP), and Downeast Community Partners (DCP), nearly $170,000 in electricity bill credits have been provided to Versant customers in need.
To celebrate the one-year Power Match anniversary, Versant will donate $25 for every customer who signs up for paperless billing from Nov. 28 until Dec. 31. All funds raised from this initiative will be split evenly amongst the individual Power Match funds for the three participating community action programs, providing much needed relief to customers across Versant’s service territory.
If you're a Versant customer, you can sign up for paperless billing by visiting here. If you're already signed up for paperless billing, or if you receive your service from Central Maine Power, consider a small donation instead; Versant is matching all donations up to $200,000 to the Power Match fund.
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Penquis Receives Funding in Support of Transportation for Cancer Patients | |
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Penquis recently received a two-year grant for a total of $60,000 from the Maine Cancer Foundation in support of the Accessing Cancer Care program.
Accessing Cancer Care provides access to transportation for cancer treatment and support for individuals in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties. Transportation includes using volunteer drivers, taxis, agency vehicles, and family/friend reimbursement to meet individual needs and provide efficient and cost-effective services. About 306 patients will be assisted each year with transportation services.
Transportation is one of the most common requests for assistance received by the Maine Cancer Foundation. In Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, Cancer Care of Maine is the only cancer treatment facility, which means many rural residents must travel long distances to receive treatment. This traveling is a barrier for many patients who need to have radiation five days per week and chemotherapy once a week.
To learn more about the Maine Cancer Foundation, visit www.mainecancer.org or contact Katelyn Michaud, [email protected], 207-773-2533.
For more information about the Accessing Cancer Care program, contact Penquis Transportation Services at 207-973-3695.
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The Arata O'Sullivan Group at Morgan Stanley Sponsors the Good Neighbor Fund | |
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A big thanks to the Arata O’Sullivan Group at Morgan Stanley for their sponsorship support of the Good Neighbor Fund for the 2023-2024 season!
The $5,000 sponsorship will help the Good Neighbor Fund continue to provide an emergency supply of heating fuel when there is a need in Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties. This fund helps families who do not qualify for the federally funded Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) or who have an urgent need that cannot be addressed through HEAP.
The Good Neighbor Fund is funded entirely by donations. To join the Arata O'Sullivan Group at Morgan Stanley and warm a home and heart this winter, please click here.
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Penquis Transportation Services Receives Grant | |
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Penquis recently received $5,000 from the Maine Charity Foundation Fund of the Maine Community Foundation. The grant will be used to provide transportation at no cost for adults age 60+ in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties who need rides for any purpose, including medical appointments, grocery shopping, and socialization.
Many older adults live alone, and without affordable transportation options, they may not be able to access needed services or continue to live independently. This fund will help eliminate financial barriers that prevent access to transportation and, in turn, provide greater access to healthcare, socialization, and other needs.
Penquis Transportation Services is the Maine DOT Regional Transportation Provider for Penobscot and Piscataquis counties and the MaineCare Non-emergency Medical Transportation Broker for Penobscot, Piscataquis, Kennebec, and Somerset counties. Penquis’ transportation service area is primarily rural, covering nearly 7400 square miles.
For more information about transportation services provided by Penquis, visit www.penquis.org or call 207-973-3695.
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Community Activities and Family Resources | |
This month is full of community activities and resources for families! To learn more, visit the Penquis Family Connections Facebook page here. | |
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It’s Open Enrollment Season for Affordable Health Care Coverage through the
Maine Health Insurance Marketplace!
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Open Enrollment is the time of year you can sign up for health insurance. In Maine, enrollment for private health insurance coverage opened on November 1, 2023, for coverage that starts January 1, 2024. For enrollments completed after December 15, 2023, coverage will begin on February 1, 2024. January 16, 2024, is the last day to enroll in a 2024 plan. | |
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Head to CoverMe.gov to create an account and enroll in a health insurance plan. This year, if you are new to the Coverme.gov marketplace and are struggling to create an account with them, you will need to call the Marketplace directly for assistance to create or edit your account at Cover Me: 1-866-636-0355.
You can also call Penquis/Theresa Cucinotti, Certified Healthcare Navigator, for free assistance: 207-973-3645.
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We're in the Final Days of Christmas is for Kids! | |
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We're in the final days of Christmas is for Kids! We had a record number of children on the website this year, and so far, more than 1,400 children have been sponsored. With your continued support, we will ensure every child is sponsored this holiday season.
Visit www.christmasisforkids.org and see the children who are still waiting for sponsorship. The website has wonderful search features where you can find a child by age, town, and even toy interests. We hope you take a moment to check it out and consider sponsoring a child to make their holiday a little brighter.
Thank you to all who have donated and sponsored children this year, and thank you to our wonderful volunteers, as without you, it wouldn't be possible to assist so many children and families in need this holiday season!
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In case you hadn't heard...
We did it! 2023 Turkey Drive a Success
7,000 households helped!
| The annual Penquis Turkey Drive helped 7,000 households this year. People of all ages worked together to help us reach the goal, and we did it! We felt the care, kindness, and support from businesses, youth, families, and each individual with every donation made. We deeply appreciate the generous and collective support shown by our community. We could not have done this without our media partners at Townsquare Media, with Kid and Katie on Z107.3 and Free the Z, and WABI TV5 and their work with the Turkey Telethon. Thank you to our sponsors, First National Bank and First National Wealth Management. Thank you to Penske Truck Rental for the refrigerated truck. And, thank you to everyone who helped to collect donations and distribute the turkeys. | |
Dessert Auction a Sweet Success! | |
On November 17, Rape Response Services hosted our 7th Dessert Auction. This was the second year that we resumed the Dessert Auction after taking two years off due to Covid. We can officially say that we have proven that last year's success was more than just a post-Covid fluke! This year's auction brought out dessert donors in droves! Some bakers had heard about the auction and reached out to us to get in on the event this year. We also heard from past baking specialists that they had personal goals to make bigger, better desserts than last year. Some bakers doubled or tripled their previous contributions. That, combined with a large audience of hungry bidders, resulted in a successful night of over $7,000 raised to support survivors of sexual violence of all ages and enhanced prevention programming. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the event! | |
Coats of Kindness Campaign Underway! | | |
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Donations of gently worn coats are now being accepted! Drop off your donation at Penquis on Harlow St. in Bangor or at any Gold Star Cleaners location in Penobscot County!
If you'd like to make a cash donation, we'll purchase a new coat! Donate here or text COATSOFKINDNESS to 44321.
Thank you for helping to keep people warm this winter!
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We had a recent delivery of coats from Gold Star Cleaners' general manager! He shared with us that Versant Power held a coat drive for us and delivered many large bags of coats. Wow! Thank you Versant employees. We appreciate you and so will those who get a warm coat! | |
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Join us on social media and keep up with Penquis news as it happens! | |
Penquis | 1-800-215-4942 | 262 Harlow St., Bangor, ME 04401 | www.penquis.org | | | | |
